(a) whether the Government has received any representations for expansion of modernisation of the existing ports including Tamilnadu during the last three years:
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the action taken/proposed to be taken in this regard;
(d) the present status of modernisation work of ports including Karaikal port in Tamilnadu;
(e) whether road and rail connectivity works to various ports including Karaikal port are running behind schedule; and
(f) if so, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF SHIPPING (SHRI G.K. VASAN)
(a) to (f): Based on the requirements of the trade and future projections of traffic at each
major port, various projects for expansion/modernization of the existing major ports in the
country have been taken up. A National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP) has also been
evolved with the objective to upgrade and modernize the port infrastructure in India and
specific projects have been taken up for implementation. Of the 276 projects identified under
the NMDP for the port sector, 53 projects have been completed so far. Development of non-major
ports including Karaikal Port is vested with the respective State Governments. Some road and
rail connectivity projects to various major ports are running behind schedule primarily due to
land acquisition problems in the States.