Govt to invest Rs.14,225 cr on various port projects
In an effort to level India’s major ports at par with that of its contemporaries across the world, the government on Wednesday announced that it will create additional capacities through development of new terminals and modernisation of existing projects.
The Ministry of Shipping will develop 36 projects in the financial year 2015-16 with total investments of Rs.14,225 crores and capacity enhancement by 162 MTPA (million tonnes per annum).
In the financial year 2014-15, a total of 26 projects were awarded with an investment of Rs.10,543 crore and capacity enhancement of 155 MTPA.
“Currently, the level of mechanisation is not at par as compared with other ports across the world. For e.g. Kolkata Port is only 30% mechanised whereas Kamarajar Port at Ennore has mechanisation level of up to 90%. Operations in other ports are also mechanised to varying degrees,” Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.
Earlier, the Shipping Ministry had also hired a consultant to benchmark the efficiency and productivity of major ports in India. The consultants had come up with certain recommendations that are now under various stages of implementation.
The government has also taken note of recommendations to increase draught of major ports to at least 14 meters and in ports where it is technically feasible and economically efficient, to 17 meters. The investment in these dredging projects is estimated to be about Rs.793 crores.
January 27, 2015 | 05:25pm IST.
to success.