The port capacity of the non-major ports in Gujarat has registered over 100 per cent growth in past ten years, rising from 135 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in 2001-02 to 273 MTPA per annum in 2010-11, an official communique informed today.
Gujarat's non-major ports have shown a consistent and robust growth among the other states of India. According to a statement provided by the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), the non-major ports in Gujarat handle 25 per cent of the country's total cargo and account for 80 per cent of the total traffic handled by other non-major ports in India.
"In less than a decade, the overall port capacity of GMB ports (non-major ports) has registered growth of more than 100 per cent from 135 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) in 2001-02, to 273 MTPA in 2010-11. The projects in the pipeline augur an increased capacity of more than 500 MTPA by 2015," the statement said.
So far the port sector in Gujarat has realised private investments worth Rs 24,150 crore, the government statement said.
In the current year, the traffic handling capacity of Gujarat’s non major ports has increased by 12 per cent and total investments amounting to Rs 2,865 crores has already been realised by way of Development of Solid Cargo Port terminal at Dahej, expansion of 550 meter jetty at Magdalla port by Essar Group, 2 berths of coal terminal for UMPP at Wandh, revival of the KRIBHCO jetty and the Vessel Traffic Monitoring System (VTMS) has successfully been established on the Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis in the Gulf of Khambhat to provide guidelines, surveillance, port management and information to all vessels plying in the Gulf.
“Progressive measures have added ballast to the natural advantages the state has always enjoyed. Armed with exemplary leadership, the state’s ports have now emerged as the “Catalyst to India’s Development,” says Pankaj Kumar, vice chairman & CEO, GMB.
Looking to the requirement for development of port facilities to handle Over Dimensional Cargo for ambitious projects in Gujarat, GMB has accorded permissions to M/s. Lift and Shift, M/s. ISGEC, M/s. Anupam Industries for construction of Ro Ro facilities.
