Government to set up National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts at IIT Chennai

The Ministry of Shipping has laid foundation stone for setting up of a National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Chennai to give technological support to ports and maritime sector. It will be set up under Shipping Ministry’s flagship Sagarmala programme.

Key Facts

NTCPWC’s mandate is to act as technology arm of Ministry of Shipping for providing engineering and technological inputs and support for Ports, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and other institutions.
Functions: Conduct applied research in areas of 2D and 3D Modelling of ocean, coastal and estuarine flows, sediment transport and morphodynamics, dredging and siltation, navigation and maneuvering, port and coastal engineering structures and breakwaters, experimental and CFD modelling of flow and hull interaction, hydrodynamics of multiple hulls, autonomous platforms and vehicles and ocean renewable energy.
Provide indigenous software and technology, make technical guidelines and standards and address port and maritime issues with models and simulations. Generate new technology and innovations and work towards their successful commercialization.
Funding: It is being set up at cost of Rs 70.53 crore to be shared by Ministry of Shipping, IWAI and Major Ports. It will become self-sustainable in three years through industry consultancy projects for Indian and global port and maritime sector.

Sagarmala programme

It aims to promote port-led development along India’s 7500 km long coastline by developing string of ports around coast. It will develop access to new development regions with intermodal solutions and enhanced connectivity with main economic centres and beyond.
It envisages transforming existing ports into modern world class ports as well as developing new ones. It also aims to develop efficient evacuation systems through road, rail, inland and coastal waterways. Its three key components are Port Modernization, Efficient Evacuation Systems and Coastal Economic Development.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2018