Question : INADEQUATE PORT FACILITIES

(a) whether the existing port facilities in the country are inadequate to handle the International trade; and

(b) if so, the steps being taken for the improvement of the port facilities to meet the demand completely?

MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a) & (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 184 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28TH NOVEMBER 2007, RAISED BY SHRI SUKDEO PASWAN AND SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY, REGARDING INADEQUATE PORT FACILITIES

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): In order to increase the capacity of major ports a total of 276 projects involving an estimated investment of Rs, 55,804 crores have been identified in the Major Ports under the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP) to be taken up for implementation by 2011-12. Out of the above an investment of Rs.34,505 crores is expected from the private sector and the balance through public funds. These projects cover the entire gamut of activities in the ports including construction of new berths, upgradation of existing berths, deepening of port channels to receive large size ships, equipment upgradation and modernization, rail/road connectivity and other associated projects. While Public funds will be utilized for creating common user infrastructure, private sector investment is envisaged in commercially viable projects like development and operations of berths/ terminals etc.

To facilitate smooth flow of traffic through the Major Ports, during the 11th Five Year Plan period, the aggregate capacity in the Major Ports is planned to be enhanced to 1001.8 MTPA to cater to increasing traffic by the year 2011-12. The Non- Major Ports are under the control of respective State Government under whom the responsibility for their development vests. The State Governments have also drawn up plans to expand their port capacities.