Boost for coastal shipping: JNPT & Karwar port get govt aid

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port project involves construction of a coastal berth and port craft jetty, reclamation and capital dredging

The Shipping Ministry has granted aid to Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Karwar Port under the Sagarmala Coastal Berth Scheme in order to support coastal shipping. The money will partially support infrastructure projects worth over Rs 380 crore at these ports.

Karnataka will get Rs 50 crore for developing Breakwater at Karwar Port and JNPT will get Rs 25 crore to develop its coastal berth.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port project involves construction of a coastal berth (270m x 30m) and port craft jetty, reclamation and capital dredging. The estimated project cost is Rs 170.20 crore and it will be completed by March 2019. 

The proposed berth at JNPT is expected to handle about 2.5 million tonnes of coastal traffic, which includes coastal liquid traffic. It will facilitate easy and quick coastal movement of cement and edible oil, allow for about 45 hectare of storage space and repurpose the existing shallow berth as a container terminal. 

The project at Karwar Port in Karnataka involves an extension of the existing Southern breakwater by 145 metres and construction of a new North breakwater of 1160 metres. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 215 crore and is expected to be completed in three years. This will allow more tranquility for the berthing/unberthing of the vessels and reduce the turnaround time of loading and unloading activities. Construction of the Breakwater will reduce the rate of siltation too and help maintain the required draft for safe navigation activities.

Karwar Port is situated between New Mangalore Port and Mormugao Port. It is acclaimed as one of the best natural all weather ports on the west coast and provides all-weather berthing facilities for ocean vessels. 

It is the only port owned and administered by the state government.