Gujarat Minister thanks PM Modi for Porbandar shipbuilding project
New Delhi, Aug 4
Gujarat Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday to thank him for the Centre's approval of a mega shipbuilding project in Porbandar, which is expected to attract an investment of around Rs 27,500 crore.
During the meeting, Modhwadia expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for approving the project and honoured him with a traditional turban and a shawl.
He also briefed PM Modi on the work being carried out by his ministry and discussed ongoing development projects in Porbandar district being implemented by the state government under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
According to the minister, he also sought the Prime Minister's guidance on the district's future development.
The proposed shipbuilding yard forms part of the Centre's broader effort to strengthen India's maritime manufacturing sector.
Last month, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways granted in-principle approval for a Greenfield shipbuilding cluster in Porbandar district under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS).
The project will be developed through the National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park-Gujarat (NSHIP-Gujarat), a special purpose vehicle promoted by the Ministry and the Gujarat Maritime Board.
The cluster is planned at Kuchhadi village in Porbandar district over nearly 2,000 acres and is expected to include modern shipyards, ancillary manufacturing units, logistics infrastructure, research and development facilities and skill development centres.
The project is intended to enhance India's shipbuilding capacity and support the country's Maritime "Amrit Kaal Vision 2047" to expand domestic shipbuilding and ship repair capabilities.
The meeting comes as Gujarat continues to position itself as a major maritime hub, supported by its long coastline and a series of infrastructure initiatives aimed at expanding port-led industrial development and strengthening the state's role in India's shipping sector.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Rs 27,500 crore is a massive investment. I hope the local communities in Porbandar are properly consulted and compensated. Development should not come at the cost of fishermen and small farmers who depend on the coast.
Porbandar is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, and now it will be known for modern shipbuilding too. Good to see the government focusing on maritime infrastructure. Will this help with India's defense shipbuilding needs as well?
This is exactly the kind of infrastructure investment India needs. The "Amrit Kaal Vision 2047" is ambitious, but with projects like this, it seems achievable. Hope the skill development centers mentioned actually train local youth for these jobs.
Nice to see a minister personally going to thank the PM. But I hope the project doesn't get delayed like many others. Land acquisition and environmental clearances are usually big hurdles in Gujarat. Let's see how quickly this moves forward.
This is a win for Gujarat and the nation. A 2,000-acre shipbuilding cluster will put India on the global maritime map. All the best to everyone involved. The R&D facilities are particularly important to make this future-proof.
Good news, but I'm curious about the environmental impact. Porbandar is an ecologically sensitive
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