Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has inaugurated and laid foundation stones for over ₹1,500 crore worth of transformative projects at V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
The initiatives include ₹160 crore in completed works such as enhanced rail-road connectivity for faster cargo evacuation, upgraded power infrastructure with renewable integration (solar, wind, battery storage), advanced safety systems, digital platforms including the new digital twin technology, and the VOC Maritime Heritage Museum.
Foundation projects totaling ₹1,340 crore feature an 8 MW wind farm with 5 MW storage, 2 MW green hydrogen facility, 2 MW ground-mounted solar plant, energy management with smart metering (₹131 crore rail infra, ₹250 crore shipbuilding equipment, ₹367 crore green tugs), aimed at slashing vessel turnaround times and logistics costs.
These developments position VOC Port as a competitive transshipment hub rivaling Colombo, spurring industrial growth in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Madurai via shipbuilding, renewables, and tourism while aligning with Maritime India Vision 2047.
VOC Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit emphasized port-led industrialization and green innovation to enhance regional prosperity.
