Chennai and Kamarajar Ports Together Handle Record 103 Million Tonnes of Cargo: Sunil Paliwal
Chennai:
Port Wings News Network:
The 79th Independence Day celebrations organized by the Chennai Port Authority were held on 15 August 2025 at the Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Sports Arena in Tondiarpet, managed by the Chennai Port.
The chief guest, Sunil Paliwal, Chairman of Chennai and Kamarajar Ports, hoisted the National Flag and paid his respects. He then released tri-colored balloons and pigeons. Earlier, he received a guard of honor from the Central Industrial Security Force and the Fire Service personnel.
In his speech, Sunil Paliwal said: “In the last financial year, Chennai and Kamarajar Ports together handled approximately 103 million metric tons of cargo, achieving a remarkable milestone. This year, cargo handling has seen a growth of 13.25%, which is double that of the previous year. Considered the eastern gateway of India, Chennai and Kamarajar Ports collectively handled 1.82 million cargo containers in the last financial year.”
Sunil Paliwal stated: “To support the nation’s economic growth, Chennai Port continues to enhance its infrastructure facilities. A vehicle parking terminal capable of accommodating around 6,000 container trucks has been established near the main entrance and brought into use. The construction of the double-decker elevated bridge connecting Maduravoyal and Chennai Port is progressing rapidly. The port continues to expand its open and covered storage warehouses for cargo.”
Sunil Paliwal stated: “To promote cruise tourism, a passenger terminal has been renovated at a cost of ₹22 crore. An old police station outside the port is being restored with heritage elements by the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department at a cost of ₹5 crore. A new recreation club for ship crew members is being established within the port premises. The two Bharathi docks are being upgraded at an estimated cost of ₹24 crore. ₹60 crore has been allocated for coastal protection. Last year, Chennai Port earned a post-tax profit of ₹84 crore. In the current year, the port’s net profit is expected to exceed ₹400 crore. Under the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of Chennai and Kamarajar Ports, ₹18 crore has been spent on various public welfare projects. Notably, Kamarajar Port is setting up a desalination plant to produce 10 lakh liters of drinking water per day for villages around Kattupalli, with pipelines and overhead water tanks provided by the port administration. The recently opened Swabodhini Special School in Tondiarpet was able to enroll 75 children. Three years ago, the port’s higher secondary school had around 470 students, which has now increased to over 1,000. These students consistently excel in examinations, and the port administration rewards them with laptops and cash prizes. Infrastructure improvements have been made to prevent flooding in the Tondiarpet residential complex during monsoons. The port’s workers’ hospital is set to be renovated at a cost of ₹10 crore, with tenders already called for and plans to procure additional equipment.”
Speaking about staff welfare, Sunil Paliwal said: “Regarding workers, Chennai Port continues to act favorably in matters of salary increases and promotions.” Following this, cultural programmes by school students and adventure performances by security personnel took place. The event was attended by Deputy Chairman S. Viswanathan, Vigilance Officer S. Murali Krishnan, and department heads including Indranil Hazra, S. Kirubanandasamy, Duraipandian, Ravikumar, Ballari Srinivas Rao, and Anu Sujatha, among others.
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