Fri Sep 05 18:54:51 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:
**Summary:**
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated a green hydrogen plant and laid the foundation stone for several infrastructure projects at VOC Port in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. He highlighted the central government’s investment of over ₹93,000 crore in Tamil Nadu’s ports under the SagarMala program. The green hydrogen plant makes VOC Port the first in India to produce green hydrogen, and it could attract significant future investment. The port also signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government for a shipbuilding and ship repairing yard. Sonowal expressed confidence in India becoming a major global player in shipbuilding by 2030 and a top-five player by 2047. He addressed concerns about trade issues with the United States, stating the ministry is working on a maritime corridor with Vladivostok. Other projects inaugurated include a conveyor, solar power plant, and community hall, with foundation stones laid for various other facilities.
**News Article:**
**₹93,000 Crore Boost for Tamil Nadu Ports: VOC Port Leads the Way in Green Hydrogen Production**
*TIRUNELVELI, September 6, 2025* – Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal today inaugurated a green hydrogen plant at VOC Port in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, marking a significant step towards sustainable port operations in India. The inauguration was part of a larger event where the foundation stone was laid for infrastructure projects totaling approximately ₹350 crore.
Minister Sonowal emphasized the central government’s commitment to modernizing and expanding port infrastructure in Tamil Nadu, stating that over ₹93,000 crore has been allocated for 98 projects across Chennai, Kamarajar, and VOC ports under the ‘SagarMala’ program in the past 11 years. Of these, 50 projects have been completed, 19 are underway, and the remaining 29 are in various stages of implementation.
“These investments will increase the cumulative cargo handling capacity of the three ports from 167 million tonnes to 338 million tonnes per annum,” Sonowal announced. He also noted the significant reduction in ship turnaround time at VOC Port, from 94 hours to 46 hours, attributable to infrastructure upgrades.
The commissioning of the green hydrogen plant makes VOC Port the first Indian port to produce this clean energy source. The plant will initially power street lights and electric vehicles within the port, but Sonowal expressed optimism that it could attract over ₹41,000 crore in investment and establish VOC Port as a major green hydrogen hub.
In addition to the green energy initiatives, VOC Port signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government to establish a special purpose vehicle for the construction of a shipbuilding and ship repairing yard near the port. Both entities will have an equal share in the venture. K. Senthil Raj, Managing Director of SIPCOT, signed the MoU on behalf of the government.
“We have sufficient land for this project near the port,” said T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Minister Sonowal outlined India’s ambitions in the shipbuilding sector, projecting that the nation will be among the top 10 global players by 2030 and aims to secure a place in the top five by 2047. “We are systematically creating a positive ecosystem in the maritime industry to achieve this target. Besides developing infrastructure, we are investing heavily on upskilling the workforce required by the maritime industry,” he stated, thanking the Tamil Nadu government for its support.
Addressing concerns about potential impacts from ongoing trade disputes involving the United States, Minister Sonowal expressed confidence in establishing a maritime corridor between Chennai and Vladivostok to safeguard India’s maritime operations.
The day’s events also included the inauguration of a 2,000-tonnes-per-hour link conveyor, a 400 kW rooftop solar power plant, and a new community hall. Foundation stones were laid for a 10th berth, a 110/22 kV sub-station, a 6 MW wind farm, a green methanol bunkering and refuelling facility, and a maritime heritage museum.
Minister for Social Welfare P. Geetha Jeevan, Tirunelveli MLA and State BJP president Nainar Nagendran, and VOC Port chairman Susanta Kumar Purohit were also present at the event.
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