(a) whether there has been any delay in modernization and expansion of port capacities proposed under National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP);
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the action taken against the persons found responsible?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a)to(c):Under the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP), 276 projects were identified in the 12 Major Ports to be taken up for implementation during the period from 1.4.2005 to 31.3.2012. Out of these, as on 31.3.2014, 82 projects have been completed, 56 projects are in progress and 30 projects have been dropped as these are not feasible due to changed perspective of the ports. The remaining projects have been subsumed in the Maritime Agenda 2010-2020.
The recession/slowdown in the Indian economy and the fact that the Model Concession Agreement for Private Sector Projects in Major Ports could be finalized only in January, 2008 after detailed deliberations over a period of about 30 months have contributed significantly to the less than satisfactory progress achieved in implementation of projects under NMDP. In addition, time taken for completion of Detailed Project Reports, delay in grant of Security clearance to shortlisted bidders, time taken for fixation of upfront tariff by the Tariff Authority for Major Ports, delay in grant of environmental clearances and litigations have also contributed to the delay in implementation.