(a) whether the Government has received any proposal from the Cochin Port
Trust seeking financial assistance towards the maintenance and dredging expenditure
for the International Container Transshipment Terminal, Vallarpadam; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF SHIPPING (SHRI G.K. VASAN)
(a)&(b): Yes, Madam. The Government provides financial assistance in form of grant-in-
aid for capital dredging only, while expenditure on maintenance dredging is met by the
Ports through their internal resources except in case of riverine ports. Accordingly,
Government of India has extended financial assistance of Rs. 381.25 crores (Rs.297.42
crores as grant-in-aid and Rs.83.83 crores as interest bearing short term loan) for
capital dredging for the International Container Transshipment Terminal(ICTT) project,
of which the Port has already drawn Rs. 377.94 crores.