(a) whether the Indian Ports are unable to handle new generation vessels as the Shipping Companies are opting for bigger vessels for economics of scale;
(b) if so, whether the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust has submitted expansion and deepening plan and financial modalities of sharing of the cost of the project;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the time by when the final decision is likely to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a) Lack of globally comparable port infrastructure, mainly, inadequate depth in port channels and basins and cargo handling facilities which include berths, terminals, cargo handling equipments, etc. limit the capacity of Indian ports to handle new generation vessels.
(b) to (d) Development and expansion of major ports is an on-going process to cope with the demands of maritime trade. As part of this process, major ports also undertake capital dredging for deepening of port basins and channels from time to time to keep pace with the draught requirements of vessels calling at these ports. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust has prepared an Integrated Development Plan for the port in line with its potential to emerge as a leading container port in the region. The plan envisages deepening of the port’s channel in phases to attract large size vessels, upgradation and augmentation of container handling equipments in its existing terminals as also their expansion, establishment of new container terminals, improvement in the internal circulation systems and back-up facilities in the port area to speed up evacuation of containers and enhancement in road and rail connectivity to its hinterland, keeping in view the future traffic projections. The total investments in these projects to be implemented over a period of 10 years through public private partnership is estimated at over Rs.15,000 crores.