Sonowal attends Viksit Ports Viksit Bharat programme in Chennai to inaugurate, lay foundation stones

The Chennai Port Authority & Kamarajar Port Limited, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Government of India, jointly organised the “Viksit Bharat, Viksit Ports” programme at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, on 8th January 2026. During the event, Hon’ble Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, delivered the keynote address. The Programme was attended by over 450 participants comprising Port Stakeholders, Maritime Professionals, Indian Maritime University Students, Officials from Ports, Customs, Immigration, Port Health Office, etc. and Press & Media. At the event, the Chief Guest – Shri Sarbananda Sonowal – Inaugurated 2 key port projects and laid the foundation stone for another 4 port projects. 

Key Highlights: 

Inauguration: 

1. Chennai Port - Inauguration of Enterprise Business System (EBS) developed for Rs. 45 Crore, marking a new era of digital governance and ease of doing business. Enterprise-wide SAP platform reduces paperwork, cuts delays, improves turnaround time, and enables real-time reporting for better service delivery.

 2. Kamarajar Port - Inauguration of Rehabilitated Northern Breakwater Head at Rs. 105 Crore. The rehabilitation covers 202 m with 3035 new 25MT tetrapods.

This area was earlier damaged during cyclones Thane and Nilam.

Foundation Stone Laying:

1. Chennai Port - Strengthening of Coastal Revetment behind Coastal Berth (850 m) at a cost of `33.28 Cr, which enhances long-term coastal resilience, safeguard critical port infrastructure & ensures continued operations. 

2. Chennai Port -Improvement Works to Chennai Port Hospital at a cost of `8.08 Cr, through modernisation of medical facilities, life-support systems, fire safety, and utilities, ensuring safe, hygienic, and reliable healthcare for port employees and their families.

 3. Chennai Port - New Firefighting Pump House at the Oil Dock Area (BD-I & BD-III) at a cost of `43 Cr to establish a dedicated high-capacity firefighting infrastructure fully compliant with safety norms for protection of critical energy-security assets.

4. Kamarajar port - Construction of Boundary Wall at the North-West Boundary connecting the Northern Port Access Road (NPAR) at a cost of  `1.39 Cr, which enables seamless integration of NPAR with internal port roads, strengthens port security, and supports CPRR-linked multimodal connectivity. 

 Launching of E-Port 

Clearance Portal

A major trade-facilitation step aligned with the One Nation–One Port Process (ONOP) as per the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Sonowal, also launched the new digital portal “e-Port Clearance Portal” for processing Port Clearance Certificates (including Advance Port Clearance). The portal will enable Shipping Lines/Steamer Agents to submit applications online and download the Port Clearance Certificate through their user login—strengthening transparency, speed and predictability for maritime operations. 

Handed over Rs. 18 Lakhs Cheque to Royal Madras Yacht Club (RMYC) for Sailing training of 20 students from Chennai Port School. 

The programme also echoed the national spirit of “Vande Mataram @150”, marking 150 years of the iconic song through a captivating performance by the Anusham group— reaffirming unity, national resolve, and duty in building a stronger India.

Key Personalities during the Event:

Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India

Dr. Malini V. Shankar, IAS (Retd.), VC, Indian Maritime University 

Shri S. Viswanathan, IAS, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority  

Smt. J.P. Irene Cynthia, IAS, Managing Director, Kamarajar Port Limited

Flagging Off of India International Regatta 2026 – Inspiring Youth:

Earlier during the day, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, flagged off the India International Youth Sailing Championship 2026 (India International Regatta) at Chennai Port. The championship is currently underway, with the participation of 111 youth sailors, including 24 foreign sailors, from 9 nations. All sailors are below 18 years of age, and 66 participants are even below 12 years. Girl sailors are 23 in number.

Swabodhini School & Vocational Centre for Special Children, Tondiarpet - Inclusion at the Heart of Development During his Chennai visit, Shri Sonowal visited the Swabodhini School & Vocational Centre for Special Children at Tondiarpet, North Chennai, to inspect school facilities and interact with special children, their parents and faculty members. He assured continued support and encouraged the trainers and faculty members. Established in 2023 by Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited, the school saw phenomenal enrollment of 9 children during 2023 to 79 children during 2025. Under CSR funding, both the ports have committed Rs. 1 Crore per annum support to the Swabodhini School.

The Hon’ble Union Minister visited all facilities of the school and inspected classrooms and therapy/vocational units where he was briefed on Swabodhini’s integrated model combining special education with structured therapies and skill-building—including occupational therapy for daily independence, sensory integration for focus and regulation, speech therapy for communication, along with physiotherapy, physical training/sports, yoga, a library and learning resource room, and adapted primary classrooms for individualized instruction; he also reviewed vocational and work-readiness 

facilities for diya painting and packaging, bottle and mug printing (including on-the-spot personalised printing), candle and soap making, and computer training, as well as long-term independence and placement support through a model living room and mock interview/placement training. 

Success stories and measurable outcomes, such as children who earlier could not stand or walk later walking independently, jumping and climbing stairs, and children who were non-verbal later expressing meaningful 2–3 word phrases and even singing independently, alongside livelihood pathways through product sales/exhibitions and placements, including a student placed at GRUNDFOS PUMPS PVT. LTD. were brought to the notice of the Hon’ble Minister.

At Swabodhini School, the Hon’ble Union Minister planted a sapling under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” #Plant4Mother campaign, a national people’s initiative promoting tree plantation in honour of mothers, reaffirming the values of sustainability.

Please visit our youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ikargos2719 for fortnightly logistics news analysis and more!