(a) whether the Government has formulated any new scheme for faster development of the maritime sector;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether all the maritime States have been consulted in this regard; and
(d) if so, their reaction thereto including the reaction of the Union Government in the matter?
MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a) to (d): The Department of Shipping has formulated the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP) keeping in view the fact that India is emerging as a modern economy and the growth of the economy is pitched at 7 to 8 percent per year in a sustained manner over the decade 2004-05 to 2013-14. Under the Programme, to be taken up for implementation in phases over a defined period through public private partnership, a total of 387 specific projects have been identified. Total investment involved under the Programme is Rs.1,00,339 crores. The objective is to upgrade and modernize the maritime infrastructure in India which will enable it to benchmark its performance against global standards. The Maritime States were consulted on certain aspects of NMDP concerning them while formulating the Programme.