"We have launched an ambitious program 'Project Unnati' to modernise our major ports. The major ports had registered record profits of USD 650 Million (Rs.4200 crores) in 2015-16. The turnaround time in ports has reduced by 20 percent, enabling customers to save over 200 Million USD (Rs.1300 Cr.)," Gadkari said at the inauguration of Maritime India Summit here.
"In Jal Marg Vikas project we are investing over 600 Million USD to make Ganga navigable from Varanasi to Haldia covering a distance of 1620 kilometres," he said.
"It is a fitting tribute to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar that the first Maritime India Summit is happening on his birth anniversary," he added.
"Dr. Ambedkar established the central waterways, irrigation and navigation commission in 1945 and provided the vision of river navigation," he further said.
The Union Minister also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving his "personal attention" to the maritime sector, describing it as is a great motivating factor for all to reach new heights.
He also said that the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) will soon be announcing record profits ending consecutive year of losses.
-Source IANS