India lays foundation stone for eight connectivity projects worth 1117.3 crore

NEW DELHI (INDIA): India’s Shipping and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadari laid the foundation stone for eight connectivity projects worth Rs. 1117.03 crore at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) today. These projects include:n

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nAll these projects will enhance connectivity of the hinterland   to JNPT. Port Connectivity is among the four pillars of Ministry of Shipping?s flagship Sagarmala programme.nnSpeaking on the occasion Gadkari said that huge investments are expected under the Sagarmala programme, which will lead to better infrastructure and creation of new jobs besides giving  a big push to Indian exports.nnHe said a lot of companies have shown interest in acquiring land for setting up factories in the JNPT SEZ zone, and this in turn will create a demand for  skilled manpower.nnGadkari informed that a coordinator will be appointed to look into the requirements of these new companies and help to train the local youth from Raigad and Konkan areas to meet their specific needs.nnHe said the government?s aim is to increase efficiency and improve the development in and around the port areas by continuously undertaking new initiatives.nnAnil Diggikar, Chairman JNPT assured that the Port Trust is fully focused on creating world-class infrastructure to enable hassle free trade and contribute to the ease of doing business.nnEfforts aimed at improving the infrastructure at JNPT have already started bearing results as congestion has come down to zero and tonnage handled has reached a record high of 4.5 million TEU for the year ended March 2017. Senior officials from various departments and representatives from the industry were also present during the foundation stone laying ceremony.