Shipping Ministry aims to award 42 port projects this year

Eyes 3,200 million tonne capacity at Indian ports by 2020

The Shipping Ministry has decided to aggressively pursue port development in the country and has set a target to award 42 such projects in the current fiscal.

Shipping Minister GK Vasan at a conference said: “In the current year, the Ministry of Shipping has set an ambitious target of awarding 42 new port contracts for a total worth of Rs 15,000 crore.” These new ports will add a capacity of 250 million tonne. 

He said that the ministry has set a target to achieve 3,200 million tonne capacity at Indian ports by 2020 and around 2,600 million tonne of it all is planned by 2016-17.

 

Of the 42 ports projects, 17 have already been awarded and the rest will be undertaken by March 2013.

The minister termed the projects as ‘ambitious’ as over the past few years only 4-5 port projects were being awarded.

Outlining the fund raising for the ports sector, PK Sinha, secretary, Ministry of Shipping said the Finance Ministry has approved a total of Rs 3,000 crore of bond issued by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Dredging Corporation of India and Ennore Port. JNPT will be raising Rs 2,000 crore and the other two will raise Rs 500 crore each by March, he said.

Mumbai trans-harbour link project gets NOC from JNPT

Minister of State for Shipping Milind Deora said that JNPT has given a no-objection certificate (NOC) to Maharashtra government for the Mumbai trans-harbour link project and the work will now be taken up soon.

The project is about providing greater connectivity between Mumbai and the future new airport in Navi Mumbai. JNPT has cast apprehension on the project as it was proving to be a hindrance in the ports plan to build a fifth terminal.

The Shipping Ministry has instructed both JNPT Port and Mumbai Port to extend fullest cooperation to the project and all support will be given to ensure its expeditious implementation, the minister said.

JNPT Chairman L Radhakrishnan said that the port will review its plans for the fifth terminal and will change the project accordingly.