East coast to account for 40% of cargo handling

Cargo handling by ports on the east coast would increase to 40 per cent over the next five-six years from the existing 33 per cent on the back of Centre's look east policy, said Visakhapatnam Port chairman Ajaya Kallam.

At present, ports on the west coast -- both major and nonmajor -- handle 77 per cent of the country's cargo. But, this will come down to 60 per cent over the next five-six years, Kallam said here on Friday. He was speaking at the two-day ‘East Coast Maritime Business summit’.

The government was putting emphasis on greater trade relations with China, Bangladesh and Myanmar, which are closer to the east coast ports, he said. Therefore, cargo movement from these ports would enhance significantly.

 

According to the country’s maritime agenda, cargo handling capacity will increase to 3,200 million tonne and to achieve this, the port sector will see an investment of Rs 3 lakh crore by 2020, he said.

Shipping Corporation of India chairman and managing director Sabyasachi Hajara said India should explore the opportunities to develop coastal shipping and inland waterways.

China moves 30 per cent of its domestic cargo through coastal and inland waterways while it's 16 per cent for the US. However, in India this was only 6 per cent despite the 7,500-km coastline and 15,000 km of inland waterways, he said, adding it was time to shift from road and rail to waterways as it's environment-friendly and the cheapest mode of transport.