Gujarat to revamp port policy

The port policy of Gujarat is likely to undergo a major modification to allow the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) to function in a better way.

The government is planning to carve out a new body from the present GMB as it now wants to focus on the commercialisation and development of undeveloped 52 cargo and fishing ports.

Of these, 24 ports have the potential to be developed into intermediate cargo handling ports. The rest of them are minor fishing ports that need to be developed.

Top GMB sources said the state government was planning to modify the present port policy and frame a new set of rules and regulations to allow the separation.

After the division, the present GMB will be known as the Gujarat Maritime Authority (GMA) and will serve as a watchdog for the commercialised and privatised ports.

The new body, to be carved out of the GMB, will be known as Gujarat Ports Development Corporation (GPDC). GPDC will focus on the development and commercialisation of ports including some 52 potential ports.

Speaking to Business Standard a GMB official said, "There are some 52 ports, which need to be developed and there is a growing feeling in the government that these ports are unintentionally sidelined as the major focus of the GMB is on the privatisation of a few identified ports."

"With the division, the new GMA will ensure the overall development of the ports while the commercialisation part will be handled by the GPDC. This way, the sidelined ports will also get due attention. However, these two bodies will operate in a synchronised manner as functions of GPDC will be monitored by GMA," he said.

According to the official, the present port policy of the state government will have to undergo a major modification to allow the division.

"At present, the government is following the 1995 policy. However, prior to the division of GMB, the port policy has to be modified to specify the different roles and functions of the two bodies."

The official did not give any specific time frame. He said the government was taking all the proactive steps and was in serious discussions.