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Even as Gujarat government is embarking on the coastal development through ports, several green-field port projects planned years ago are still waiting to get on the drawing board. Sources maintained that policy aspects and socio-economic viability of the projects were key factors responsible for delay in execution of these projects.
As per the status on June 2013, out of the total 8 green field port projects planned under the public private partnership (PPP) model along Gujarat coast, 3 have not yet been allotted, while three projects allotted to private developers are waiting for green nod from the union environment ministry. And two projects are still at different stages of planning.
The proposed green-field ports are likely to have a combined cargo handling capacity of over 45 million tonnes per annum at the total proposed investment of Rs 7400 crore.
Sources revealed that most of these projects were announced during past five years or even before that. “There has not been any significant progress in some projects mainly due to the location and lesser interest shown by private players. Also, social implications are a significant factor as some projects had to be shifted to other sites due to local resistance,” said a government source.
As per the information provided by Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) – state agency to regulate minor ports, new green-field sites for PPP port projects include Nargol, Chhara, Dahej, Positra, Kachchigadh, Vansi-Borsi, Modhawa and Bedi.
The projects at Nargol, Chhara, and Positra, are waiting environment clearances, while for the Kachchigadh port project, draft project report is under preparation. While three projects, Vansi-Borsi, Modhawa and Bedi are yet to be awarded.
According to private players, the state's existing port policy requires improvement considering the changing dynamics of global marine logistics industry.
“The state needs to revise its port policy, which was announced in December 1995. The dynamics of marine transportation has changed over the years. Private developers take decision as per the latest requirements of marine logistics including dredging depth, berthing and anchorage capacity and others,” said an official of a private sector ports operator in Gujarat.
Notably, in the 1995 ports policy, the state government had announced to develop 10 green-field ports. Out of them projects including Hazira, Dahej and Mundra ports have become operational, while most other projects were either shifted to another location or dropped due to several reasons.
“There are three green-field projects, which are yet to be awarded to developers. The government is awaiting the consultants’ report on the same. And for those projects, which are allotted to the private developers they are implementing as per their capacity,” said a GMB official.
So far, GMB has developed four green-field ports with private partnerships, including Pipavav Port, Mundra Port, Dahej Port and Hazira Port.
