Question : INCREASING CAPACITY OF PORTS



(a) whether the Government has any proposal to increase the capacity of the ports in the country through Public-Private Participation (PPP); and

(b) if so, the details thereof including the share of the Government and private parties ?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a)&(b) : Measures for increasing the capacity in the Major Ports which are under the control of the Central Government are taken as part of an on-going process, keeping in view the demands of maritime trade, through implementation of development plans for the ports, improvement in productivity, etc. The aggregate capacity of the Major Ports as on 31.3.2006 is 456.20 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA). Under the National Maritime Development Programme, which has been formulated by the Department of Shipping, a total of 387 specific projects have been identified to be taken up for implementation over a defined period. Total investment involved under the Programme is Rs.1,00,339 crores. Out of this, a total of 276 projects involving an investment of Rs. 55,804 crores pertain to the Major Ports and the balance pertain to the Shipping and Inland Water Transport Sectors. Out of Rs.55,804 crores envisaged for the Major Ports, Rs.34,505 crores is expected from the private sector, mainly in commercially viable projects like development and operation of berths, terminals, etc. The balance is planned to be met from public funds including Government grants and internal and extra budgetary resources of the Major Ports.Thus, Public Private Partnership

(PPP) will be a significant mode for implementing the Programme in the Major Ports.