Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate Indian Oil Corporation’s new LPG Import Terminal at Puthuvypeen, Kochi, during his visit to Kerala and Andhra Pradesh on January 16-17, 2024. The terminal, part of a series of infrastructure projects worth over ₹4,000 crore, is aimed at ensuring a steady LPG supply for households and businesses in the region.
The prime minister’s itinerary begins in Andhra Pradesh, where he will launch the new campus of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN) in Palasamudram, Sri Sathya Sai District, on January 16. This event, scheduled for 3:30 PM, includes an interaction with Officer Trainees of the 74th and 75th batch of Indian Revenue Service (Custom & Indirect Taxes), and officer trainees from the Royal Civil Service of Bhutan.
On the following day, Modi’s schedule in Kerala includes religious rituals at Guruvayur Temple at 07:30 AM and Thriprayar Shree Ramaswami Temple at 10:30 AM, followed by the inauguration of the aforementioned infrastructure projects at noon.
The centerpiece of these projects is the LPG Import Terminal at Puthuvypeen, built at a cost of about ₹1,236 crore. This state-of-the-art facility, with a storage capacity of 15,400 MT, is a significant step towards India’s commitment to accessible and affordable energy.
Additionally, the prime minister will unveil two major projects in the maritime sector: the New Dry Dock (NDD) and the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). The NDD, constructed with an investment of approximately ₹1,800 crore, is one of the largest marine infrastructures in the region, designed to accommodate future aircraft carriers and large commercial vessels. The ISRF, costing around ₹970 crore, includes a 6000T capacity ship lift system and is a move towards making Kochi a global ship repair hub.
These infrastructure developments are expected to significantly enhance India’s shipbuilding and repair capacities, along with boosting energy infrastructure, EXIM Trade, reducing logistics costs, and fostering economic growth. They also align with the Prime Minister’s vision of building self-reliance and creating numerous domestic and international business opportunities.
The new NACIN campus in Andhra Pradesh represents a major leap in civil service capacity building, equipped with advanced technologies for training in indirect taxation and narcotics control administration. This initiative is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of improving governance through enhanced civil service training.