PM moots assistance for minor ports

Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh said on Wednesday that the Centre will give due consideration to the proposal of the shipping ministry to provide special financial assistance for developing minor ports.

While addressing the gathering at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Vallarpadam Transhipment Container Terminal (VTCT) project here, he said minor ports in India which fall within the administrative domain of state governments must receive greater attention for their faster development. There is a need for co-ordinated development of ports.

Inefficiency of port infrastructure will blunt the competitive edge of our exports. "My government is giving special attention to development of infrastructure including ports," he added.

He said that the success of VTCT project will depend on how well public-private partnership will be managed. The efficient blending of private sector managerial efficiency and marketing acumen with public sector capital and infrastructure planning should make VTCT a role model for private-public partnership in the country.

Earlier, the PM agreed to invest Rs 20,000 crore in various central government projects in Kerala.