Kochi: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a new girls' hostel and virtually inaugurated multiple infrastructure projects across six campuses of the Indian Maritime University (IMU), reaffirming the Centre's commitment to upgrading maritime education in the country.

The projects, worth ₹67.77 crore, aim to enhance academic and residential infrastructure across IMU campuses. The new girls' hostel at IMU Kochi, being developed at a cost of ₹13.11 crore, will provide improved accommodation for female maritime students, reflecting the government's focus on inclusivity and gender parity in maritime training.

In a virtual inauguration, the Minister also launched projects at IMU campuses in Chennai, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai Port, and Visakhapatnam. These include the installation of cutting-edge simulators, solar power facilities, upgraded sports infrastructure, and renovated hostels—steps designed to offer students a holistic and modern educational environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “These 17 projects mark a significant step in our mission to strengthen India's maritime education landscape. With modern infrastructure and advanced facilities, we are enabling students to excel and meet global maritime standards.”

The event, held at the IMU Kochi campus, was attended by Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, India Ports Global MD Sunil Mukundan, IMU Vice Chancellor Dr. Malini V. Shankar, and other senior officials. An interactive session on innovation and the future of maritime training concluded the programme.