Govt should invest in building major ports: Panel

The government should invest in setting up 4-6 major ports in the next two decades, said the report of an expert committee.
"A key government priority should be to invest in four to six mega ports over the next 20 years," said the report of the National Transport Development Policy Committee.
Mega or major port is a port with two or more berths and facilities and equipment capable of discharging 1,00,000 tonnes of cargo per month.
The committee, headed by former Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Rakesh Mohan, recommended setting up two to three (major ports) on each coast. An expert group should be set up to undertake detailed studies to identify potential location and modalities for creation of mega ports, it added.

At present, there is no comprehensive and coherent strategy for location of ports or for the overall investment programme in these ports.
A new regulatory authority, Maritime Authority for Ports (MAP), should be constituted under the modernised Indian Ports Act which is suitably empowered to regulate competition, the committee said.
"There is a strong need to put in place an overarching long-term theme for national port development that prioritises and guides investments while also paving way for regulatory reforms and suitable governance structure," it added.
The committee also suggested that the government give priority to developing coastal shipping by setting up coastal terminals at major ports.