Environment

Shipping Ministry hopes Ports will satiate thirst for water too

A recent communiqué from the Ministry of Shipping augurs well for those who would like to see sustainability practices take root at major business and trade hubs as well. One of the key ministers in Modi government who holds multiple portfolio including that of shipping, Nitin Gadkari recently met the top executives of three major ports – Paradip Port, Kamarajar Port & VO Chidambarnar Port and evaluated their sustainability practices particularly those which could have the potential of benefiting the surrounding environment.

It is no secret to anybody that in the list of economic achievements of the present government – Sagar Mala, a massive modernization programme of 12 major ports run by the government holds its own shining place. The programme was initiated as soon as the government had taken over the mantle four years ago and the government since the beginning has been saying that the initiative is quite holistic in nature – not only aiming at significant capacity expansion but also targeting initiation of sustainable practices which could benefit the different sections of the stakeholders including the local populace.

To begin with, the minister has instructed for the installation of desalination plants with immediate effect at these crucial trading hubs which will deliver multiple benefits to different sections of stakeholders. For instance, a 13 million litres desalination plant at VO Chidambarnar Port is slated to provide 20 percent of Tuticorin city’s water requirement after port utilization.  A similar plant unit at Kamarajar Port is meant to contribute 1 percent of the city water needs of Chennai, a megacity. Emphasizing on the ministry’s key agenda to promote water conservation and reuse of water in maritime infrastructure development, Gadkari’s meeting with top office bearers of the three ports also saw extensive discussion on the use of new technology based containerized RO (Reverse Osmosis) based plants which can reduce the cost of producing desalinated water and would be cheaper than current water procurement cost at certain ports.

A major issue which came up during the meeting was: keeping the power costs down in running large scale desalination plants. The minister has reportedly advised the port chiefs to look for the alternative sources of power, mainly solar and wind which have already become popular in the region. The suggested solution simply entails a green exercise all the way in encouraging major ports to contribute water requirements of the nearby locations.

 

I am Renew

Recent Posts

John Cockerill secures India’s largest electrolyzer supply order from AM Green

AM Green has placed India's largest electrolyzer order with John Cockerill Hydrogen for one of…

1 day ago

Cultivating A Thriving Biofuel Ecosystem: What It Takes To Fuel India’s Green Future

By-Nipun OS  India's energy goals for the next two decades are threefold: achieve energy security,…

3 days ago

India’s biogas sector to offer opportunities for the next 5-10 years: Jan and Anting, Weber Entec

How do you find the Indian CBG market on this visit? What’s the general sentiment?…

4 days ago

BAUR FOLIEN now market leader worldwide; ideally fit for India: MIROSLAV BENKA, MD

MIROSLAV BENKA, MD of BAUR FOLIEN talks to I am Renew and explains its business…

4 days ago

To step-up biogas solutions worldwide, Sistema.bio acquires Inclusive Energy

Biogas developer & innovator, Sistema.bio has acquired Bengaluru headquartered Inclusive Energy (IE) which is at…

5 days ago

ARYA raises 100 crore to develop biogas projects

ARYA, the project development division of GPS Renewables, has secured INR 100 crore in mezzanine…

5 days ago