Three NMPA projects inaugurated, foundation stone laid for new ones

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal completes formalities virtually from Mormugao Port in Goa

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday inaugurated three completed projects and laid foundation stone for three projects of New Mangalore Port Autority (NMPA) virtually from Mormugao Port in Goa.

The projects that were inaugurated include modernised Mallya (Main) Gate, Solid Waste Management Facility and the bi-lingual website of the port. Foundation stone was laid for the construction of a concrete road from KIOCL Junction to Mallya Gate and construction of a truck terminal next to Customs House.

Of the three entry and exit gates of NMPA, the Mallya Gate acts as an important facility and the port has widened the gate from two lanes to four lanes to decongest traffic at a cost of ₹3.3 crore. One each lane facilitates the movement of cargo trucks while the others are meant for light motor vehicles and pedestrians with fully automated RFID controlled gates.

The gate building comprises ground plus two floors on the North and South side accommodating Customs, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other facilities. The four-laning is bound to ensure smooth vehicular movement into and out of the port reducing dwelling time at the gate, NMPA said.

Spread over 850 hectares of land and comprising several office buildings, 572 residential quarters, a number trees, parks and gardens, NMPA is generating considerable quantity of solid waste every day that is handed over to Mangaluru City Corporation.

With a view to reducing the effect of waste on environment, NMPA has decided to handle solid waste on its own through vermi-compost technology under the guidance of Hareesh Joshi, an expert in the field.

The vermi-compost unit comprises 11 vermi-compost bins, one slurry tank and one shredder machine on 300 sq m land covered with a shed constructed at a cost of ₹50 lakh. The unit is expected to generate 25 tonnes to 30 tonnes of vermi-compost annually that will be used for internal purposes.