Visakhapatnam: The Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) celebrated its Golden Jubilee on Sunday in Visakhapatnam, uniting employees, former staff, stakeholders, and customers. Founded on March 29, 1976, as a central public sector entity, DCIL has dedicated five decades to enhancing India’s maritime infrastructure and supporting port operations across the country. Currently, the company is responsible for nearly 80% of India’s maintenance dredging, excavating around 120 million cubic meters annually. Over the years, DCIL’s revenue has surged from approximately ₹200 crore in its early days to ₹1,148 crore in the last financial year.
Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal commended DCIL for its significant contributions to efficient port operations and cargo movement, which have bolstered India’s maritime sector. Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur emphasized the corporation’s role in infrastructure development, aligning with India’s aspirations to become a self-reliant maritime nation. Ministry Secretary Vijay Kumar noted that DCIL is exploring new ventures, including submarine cable trenching and offshore wind energy support, which will influence its future direction.
Chairman M. Angamuthu led the jubilee event, outlining the corporation’s vision to become a globally recognized leader in dredging services by 2047, with operations extending beyond India. CEO and Managing Director S. Divakar highlighted the company’s crucial role in maintenance and capital dredging projects at major ports, including Visakhapatnam, Haldia, and Chennai. Among the attendees was Roshni Aparanji K., Deputy Chairperson of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority.
