(a) whether the Government had prepared a number of action plans to link road net work with the major ports in the past;
(b) if so, whether their feasibility studies have been completed; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the further steps taken by the Government in the matter?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SURFACE TRANSPORT
(DR. DEBENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) to (b): Yes, Sir. Government has planned to develop road linkages to major ports namely Calcutta & Haldia in West Bengal, Paradip in Orissa, Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Ennore & Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, Cochin in Kerala, New Mangalore in Karnataka, Mormugao in Goa, Mumbai & Jawaharlal Nehru in Maharashtra and Kandla in Gujarat. The road linkages identified for development include stretches of National Highways as also State roads. As a first step towards achieving the goal, it is proposed to carry out feasibility study and detailed engineering of the suitable road linkages after studying the entire road network connecting the Port.
(c ) Consultancy assignment for feasibility study and detailed engineering related to Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra, Calcutta and Haldia Port in West Bengal, New Mangalore Port in Karnataka, Toticorin Port in Tamil Nadu have been awarded. Consultancy assignments related to Cochin Port in Kerala, Paradip Port in Orissa are likely to be awarded shortly. Further scheduling will be based on finding of the feasibility studies.