(a) whether the Government has decided to develop major and minor ports in the country to provide better docking facilities for the movement of coastal cargo;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the fund allocated for the project;
(d) the time by which the project is likely to be completed; and
(e) the names of the ports to be taken up for development in the Tenth Five Year Plan?
MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS ( SHRI T.R. BAALU )
(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.238 FOR ANSWER ON 21.7.2004 RAISED BY SHRI RUPCHAND MURMU REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF PORTS.
The major ports have adequate facilities for handling coastal cargo. However, development of ports in the country including provision of docking facilities for the movement of coastal cargo, keeping in view the demands of maritime trade, is an on-going process. During the Tenth Five Year Plan, an outlay of Rs.4731.29 crores has been made for development of major ports and Andaman and Lakshadweep Harbour Works.
The Government has also got conducted a study on “Development of Coastal Shipping and Minor Ports†by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The report submitted by TCS has been accepted in principle by the Government.
Responsibility for development of minor ports in the country vests in the respective State Governments under the Indian Ports Act, 1908.