Question : SETTING UP OF PORTS AND SHIPYARDS

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up shipyards and more ports in the country, particularly along the coast of Orissa;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the estimated expenditure likely to be incurred thereon?

MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a) to (c): At present, no such proposal is under consideration of the Government of India. However, the Government of Orissa has intimated that it has received a proposal for setting up a ship building yard and ship repair facilities at the mouth of the Dhamra river in Bhadrak District in Orissa as a joint venture project. The estimated project cost is around Rs.2200 crore. Final decision in the matter is yet to be taken by the Government of Orissa. There are some proposals with the Government of Orissa for setting up more ports in the Orissa Coast by private developers under Public Private Partnership mode. Details of major projects are given below:

(i) Dhamra Port, a Greenfield Project has already been handed over to private developer re-named as Dhamra Port Company Limited for establishment of a Mega Port of international standard. Estimated project cost is Rs. 2469 crore.

(ii) Similarly, Gopalpur Port has also been handed over to a private developer, i.e. Gopalpur Ports Limited (GPL) for development of this port as an all weather port. GPL will invest Rs 1700 crore in this project

(iii) Jatadhar Muhan which is another strategic point for development of Minor port has been proposed to be developed by Posco India Limited as a captive minor port. Government of Orissa has given in-principle approval for this proposal. Estimated cost for the first phase is Rs. 1432 crore.

(iv) For development of Port on Subarnarekha Mouth in Balasore district, Government of Orissa has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Creative Port Private Limited, Chennai on 18th December, 2006. Total estimated cost of this project is Rs. 2000 crore.