(a) whether the Government proposes to prepare any
vision document on the development of coastal
shipping and tourism in the country;
(b) if so, the details and the present status thereof;
and
(c) the extent to which this vision document has been
implemented along with the progress achieved
thereunder so far?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING
(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a) Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Shipping has prepared a vision document for "Coastal Shipping, Tourism and Regional Development" which envisages increasing the share of Coastal/ Inland Water transportation, development of coastal shipping as part of end to end logistic supply chain, integration of inland waterways with coastal routes, development of infrastructure for cruise terminals and developing lighthouses for tourism.
(b)&(c):To implement the vision document, the Government has taken the following steps for promotion of coastal shipping and tourism:
(i) moderating manning and technical requirements for vessels operating within Indian territorial waters through a river sea vessel notification; (ii) declaring the inland vessel limits for facilitating coastal trade operations; (iii) issuing coastal shipping rules for coastal vessels operating within 20 miles off the coast; (iv) exempting customs and Central Excise duty on bunker fuels (IFO 180 and IFO 380 CST) by Indian flagged coastal container vessels; (v) bringing abatement of service tax at 70% for coastal shipping at par with road and rail; (vi) simplification of customs procedures (vii) launching a Central Sector Scheme for construction of exclusive berths for coastal vessels providing assistance up to 50% of the total cost of the project subject to maximum of Rs 25 crores (viii) charging the wharfage on per unit basis, instead of on ad volarem basis, to promote transportation of automobiles (ix) increasing the discount on port charges for Ro-Ro ships by major ports from 40% to 80% for two years w.e.f. 20th September, 2016. (x) cabotage has been relaxed for Roll-on-Roll-off vessels, Hybrid Roll-On-Off, Ro-RO-cum-Passengers, Pure Car Carriers, Pure Car and Truck Carriers etc. (xi) as part of the National Perspective Plan of SagarmalaProgramme, additional coastal shipping potential of 115-120 MMTPAby 2025 has been identified for various cargo types (coal, petrol, oil & lubricant, steel, cement and fertilizer etc). (xii)Central Financial Assistance is extended by the Ministry of Tourism to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central agencies for the development of tourism infrastructure including infrastructure related to development of Cruise Tourism. (xiii) SwadeshDarshan Scheme for Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around Specific Themes has been launched by Ministry of Tourism. Coastal Circuit has been identified as one of the themes. (xiv) New cruise terminals have been constructed at Mormugao and Chennai Ports.(xv) Standardised Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling cruise vessels and passengers have been implemented. (xvi) The major ports provide a minimum rebate of 30% across the board on all port charges and for cruise vessels. (xvii) 78 lighthouses have been identified for development of tourism on Public Private Partnership mode.
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