Govt for detail policy in shipping sect

A comprehensive policy for the maritime sector, which includes ports, merchant shipping, maritime training, aids to navigation, shipbuilding and ship repair and inland water transport, is under consideration, Lok Sabha was informed today.

This was stated by minister of shipping, road transport and highways T R Baalu in a reply to a written question.

However, the minister said no specific time frame had been laid down for the announcement of the policy.

To another question, Baalu said 15 containers with imported scrap had been lying at different location at Mumbai port for a period varying from eight months to 10 years.

Out of the them, 12 have been detained by customs and three were never cleared by consignees and action for whose disposal has been initiated by Mumbai port.

To a query on Sethusamudram project, Baalu said, "Sethusamudram ship channel project is yet to be approved by the competent authority".

The project is expected to be completed within three years after obtaining all necessary clearances and approval.