The shipping ministry today said it would award six port expansion projects worth Rs 3,319 crore, to be developed on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis, as part of its official agenda for the next 100 days.
One of these, a concession agreement for construction of a deep-draught iron ore terminal at Paradip, was signed today. The six projects are together expected to add annual capacity of 31.23 million tonnes (mt), to the present handling capacity of 146.6 mt.
Th other projects include a coal terminal at Paradip and at Mormugao, a container terminal at Ennore and at Tuticorin, more berths at Kandla and an iron ore handling facility at New Mangalore. The total estimated cost of the six projects is Rs 3,319 crore.
The 100-point agenda was released by the ministry in Delhi and by the minister, G K Vasan, in Chennai. Among other proposals for the 100 days are transferring the assets of Hindustan Shipyards Ltd (HSL) to the defence ministry, getting Rs 1,570 crore of equipment for the Dredging Corporation of India and a new shipyard at Kochi.
Action is to be also taken on a panel report expected shortly on enhancing port efficiency. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshwadeep are to be declared major ports after Cabinet approval. There is also a proposal for strengthening the Indian Maritime University, established recently. Also, an Indian Maritime Causality Investigation Cell in the Directorate General of Shipping.
The second phase of dredging of National Waterways No 3 on the West Coast Canal from Kollam to Kottapuram will be implemented. Plus more ships for the administrations at Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
