(a) whether the Government has identified various ports in the country to refurbish the ship-repairing facilities;
(b) if so, details of ports that have been identified therefor;
(c) whether the Government has any proposal for routes for cruise ships and their maintenance; and
(d) the proposal of the Government to develop the Inland Waterways Authority of India therefor?
(a)&(b):Based on a study by a consultant engaged by the Ministry of Shipping, 7 Major Ports namely, Kandla, Paradip, Mumbai, Mormugao, Vishakhapatnam, Cochin and Kolkata have been identified to refurbish the ship-repairing facilities. However, Cochin Port has already leased out its land in 2013 to Cochin Shipyard Limited for creation of an International Ship-repair facility.
(c) The routes for cruise services are planned and operated by the shipping companies keeping in view the financial viability and demand by cruise passengers in a particular sector. The Government provides the enabling policy and regulatory framework for operating cruise services.
(d) For development of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India had conveyed approval for creation of 101 additional posts on the basis of the restructuring proposal (initiated by IWAI and Ministry of Shipping), on 7th September, 2016. At present, the total strength of officers and staff including the above mentioned restructuring is 414.
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