On February 23, the Kamarajar Educational Trust, supported by its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, distributed ten electric “Pink Autos” to economically disadvantaged fisherwomen in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The vehicles were officially inaugurated by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable transportation and promoting economic empowerment for women in coastal regions.

The program is designed to alleviate financial hardships faced by women in fishing communities. These women often experience fluctuating household incomes due to seasonal fishing bans, unfavorable weather conditions, and decreasing marine resources. The introduction of electric autos aims to provide a steady source of income through passenger transport and local mobility services.

The electric “Pink Autos” are designed to be environmentally friendly, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions and noise pollution while also lowering fuel and maintenance costs. This initiative is expected to enhance the financial security of the beneficiaries, enabling them to better support their families.

In addition to benefiting individual users, this project advocates for green mobility, encourages the use of clean energy transport, and promotes inclusive development within coastal communities. It represents a broader strategy to empower women through self-employment opportunities, simultaneously facilitating India’s shift toward sustainable infrastructure.

Local stakeholders have acknowledged that such initiatives have the potential to significantly strengthen the social and economic resilience of coastal areas. They can provide women with greater financial independence and dignity, while simultaneously contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable urban transport ecosystem.

Inauguration of VOC Maritime Heritage Museum

During his visit to Thoothukudi, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also inaugurated the VOC Maritime Heritage Museum at the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority. In a subsequent update, Sonowal emphasized that this new museum will pay tribute to the legacy of V.O. Chidambaranar and acknowledge India’s rich maritime history. The establishment of the museum is expected to boost tourism and public engagement, while inspiring future generations towards maritime growth.

Sonowal noted that the V.O. Chidambaranar Port is one of India’s prominent ports and is experiencing considerable growth. He mentioned that this year, the port handled over 35.97 million metric tons of cargo, reflecting a six percent increase compared to previous figures. He revealed that the Ministry is dedicated to achieving developmental goals outlined in Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal 2047, employing a modern and technology-driven approach to enhance the global competitiveness of the port.

The Minister criticized the previous UPA government’s lack of focus on Tamil Nadu’s port infrastructure, asserting that efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership have led to significant enhancements. Sonowal identified the ongoing projects, which are expected to cost over 15,000 crores, as instrumental in increasing cargo handling capacity and overall efficiency. He highlighted that the initiatives aim to create job opportunities and provide crucial support to coastal communities.

Furthermore, Sonowal claimed that the present government’s focus on cooperative federalism has led to comprehensive attention for all regions, enabling growth and prosperity. He credited the Prime Minister’s extensive efforts for creating modern infrastructure aimed at benefiting the people of Tamil Nadu, fostering employment opportunities, and generating a skilled workforce for the maritime sector.

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