The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority's (JNPA) project, "Development of Export-Import cum Domestic Agricultural Commodity-Based Processing & Storage Facility at JNPA on PPP Mode," was approved by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

The JNPA plans to build a 67,422 square meter, all-in-one, cutting-edge agricultural complex at the port. This innovative facility will eliminate the need for repeated handling, improve logistics inefficiencies, and increase the shelf life of agricultural products. Further, this can fetch better prices for agricultural products, create more jobs and pave the way for general expansion in the agricultural sector. It will increase demand, support rural development, and give farmers and exporters more influence.

"Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the Ministry for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) is committed to creating a robust infrastructure that not only enhances agricultural export capabilities but also supports farmers and rural communities. The development of this all-in-one agricultural facility at JNPA will streamline logistics, reduce wastage, and provide better prices for agricultural products. This is a significant step towards empowering our farmers and boosting India’s agricultural sector’’, said Sonowal, the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

Important products like non-basmati rice, maize, spices, onions, and wheat will be exported from the plant. Given that JNPA is the primary entry point for frozen meat products and a significant entry point for marine products, the new facility will also assist meat and marine product exporters from regions outside of Mumbai.

The port-based facility would help small exporters in particular by enhancing their capacity for cold chain logistics, container booking, and export operations. A cold store with a capacity of 5,800 metric tonnes, a frozen store with 1800 metric tonnes, and dry warehouses with a capacity of 12,000 metric tonnes for grains, cereals, and dry cargo are all included in the projected increase in export capacity.

In addition to supporting and enhancing India's agricultural capabilities, this effort sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects that share the government's mission of empowering farmers and nurturing rural development.

It should be mentioned that JNPA in Maharashtra is the first significant port in the nation to be entirely owned by a landlord, with all berths run under a PPP arrangement. According to the Lloyds List Top 100 Ports Report, JNPA is one of the top 100 global ports for containers.

With a total investment of roughly Rs. 76,220 crores, MoPSW is also building the Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra, one of the largest ports in the nation. In Vadhavan, Palghar District, it will be developed as a significant greenfield deep draft port that is weatherproof. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) will be used to create terminals, core infrastructure, and other commercial infrastructure.

The government has made the planned Vadhavan port a top priority. It can carry 23 million TEUs, or 254 million tons, of cargo annually and has a 20-meter natural draft, which allows it to handle larger container ships that can hold up to 20,000 TEUs.  After completion the project is finished, it will be one of the top ten largest ports in the world and a major hub for green fuels.

With the financial support of Rs. 232 crores from Sagarmala to date, 16 projects totalling Rs. 790 crores have already been completed in Maharashtra.

With funding from the same scheme totalling Rs. 561 crores, 14 more projects valued at Rs. 1,115 crores are currently in progress.

Image source: ANI