India Spends $1.85 Billion On Major Ports’ Infrastructure Development & Capacity Augmentation
The Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) and Chemical & Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, informed in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha that the development of infrastructure and increase of capacity of the Major Ports is a process that goes on and includes the construction of new berths and terminals, mechanization of existing berths and terminals, capital dredging for deepening of drafts for attracting large vessels, development of road and rail connectivity, etc.
The present capacity of cargo handling of the Major Ports as of 31st March 2019 stood at 1514.09 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) that is sufficient to manage the EXIM and Coastal Cargo. 699.10 million tonnes of traffic was handled by Major Ports during 2018-19.
For the upgradation of the Major Ports, many projects that amounts to project costs of Rs. 13308.42 Cr. has been given in the past three years. The awarded projects are done according to the relevant contractual timelines
These projects are regularly monitored to make sure that they are completed on time at several levels in the particular ports and also in the Ministry. Reports on the status of projects are submitted by Major Ports monthly which is then reviewed.
Reference: pib.gov.in
