Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Vijay Kumar on Saturday directed the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) to explore the possibilities of enhancing cargo movement through inland waterways and strengthening coastal shipping within Karnataka.

The Secretary also asked NMPA to carry out a detailed study in this regard, including the possibilities of cargo movement through the Netravathi and Phalguni (Gurupura) rivers.

During the visit, Mr. Kumar inaugurated four major infrastructure projects. They included the MDL Yard Road Network Project, worth ₹7.23 crore, comprising a 1.1-km concrete road, a truck terminal near Thannirbhavi Road, built at a cost of ₹4.45 crore, with a capacity for 90 trucks, the Baikampady truck terminal, constructed at a cost of ₹5.43 crore, with a capacity for 50 trucks and amenities such as bathrooms, toilet blocks and staging facilities for freight vehicles, and a concrete road connecting NH-66 and the Baikampady Industrial Area, built at a cost of ₹5.47 crore.

He also laid the foundation stones for the covered storage shed inside the wharf, worth ₹8.65 crore, to provide modern covered storage facilities for bulk and break-bulk cargo, and the beautification of the Panambur Beach Road project, worth ₹5.67 crore.

Mr. Kumar also signed an agreement with the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd. (IPRCL) for the electronic interlocking of the Panambur Railway Yard, costing ₹56.23 crore. An AMRIT Pharmacy Service, a healthcare initiative valued at ₹12 crore, was also launched to provide affordable access to medicines and healthcare products to employees, retirees, and the local community.

The Secretary held a review meeting to assess NMPA performance, cargo traffic trends, infrastructure augmentation projects, digital initiatives and future business development strategies. He also held an interactive meeting with port users, including Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited, KIOCL, JSW Group, Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum, as well as representatives of stakeholders, stevedore agents, industry, and trade unions.

Mr. Kumar was welcomed by NMPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh, Deputy Chairperson S. Shanthi and others.