PM Modi inaugurates Tuticorin International Container Terminal

New Delhi, Sep 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Tuticorin International Container Terminal today via video message, calling it a “new star of India’s marine infrastructure” and a big leap in India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation.

In his address, PM Modi highlighted the role of innovation and collaboration in India’s progress, stressing that the terminal’s inauguration is a symbol of the nation’s collective strength.

“Innovation and collaboration are India’s greatest strengths on its development journey,” PM Modi said. He emphasised how the expansion of India’s infrastructure, including its vast network of roadways, highways, waterways, and airways, has strengthened the country’s position in global trade. “India is becoming a major stakeholder in the global supply chain, and this growing capacity is the foundation of our economic growth,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi also expressed confidence in India’s rapid economic progress, predicting that this momentum would soon make India the world’s third-largest economy. He specifically praised Tamil Nadu for playing a major role in driving the nation’s growth, highlighting the state’s strategic coastline as an essential factor in boosting maritime trade.

PM Modi went on speaking on India’s broader maritime strategy, which he said goes beyond infrastructure development. “India is showing the world the path to sustainable and forward-thinking development,” he stated. He pointed out that the V.O. Chidambaranar (V.O.C.) The port is being recognised as a Green Hydrogen hub and a nodal point for offshore wind energy, showcasing India’s commitment to tackling global climate change challenges.

PM Modi describing the port said, “With a deep draft of more than 14 meters and a berth over 300 meters long, this terminal will play a crucial role in expanding the capacity of the V.O.C. port.” The Prime Minister added that the new facility is expected to reduce logistics costs and save foreign exchange, further boosting India’s trade competitiveness.

PM Modi also highlighted a key social achievement of the new terminal, its commitment to gender diversity. “One of the terminal’s key achievements is its commitment to gender diversity, with 40% of its employees being women. This represents a powerful example of women-led development in the maritime sector,” he said. This focus on empowering women aligns with the government’s broader vision of inclusive growth across all sectors of the economy.

Recognising Tamil Nadu’s strategic importance in India’s maritime growth, the Prime Minister stated that the state boasts three major ports and seventeen non-major ports, making it a major hub for maritime trade. “With its extensive coastline, Tamil Nadu has been driving India’s economic growth, and this new terminal will further bolster that role,” he added.