Aiming to strengthen the transport network in Maharashtra, the state government is developing a number of small and big ports and connecting it with rail and road network in its effort to develop water transport system.
"We are aggressively developing ports to concentrate on water transport development. We have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dighi Port and connected it with a railway line. Prior to this, in December last year, we had connected Jaigadh port with railways. Both these ports will also be connected to roads," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told PTI.
"For the first time in Maharashtra, a cargo ship carrying a consignment of 1,76,000 tons landed at Jaigadh port. This is a record in itself. We will be developing both big and small ports and increase their connectivity with railways and roads in future," he said.
An MoU was signed between Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and Dighi Port, developed by a private firm in the Konkan region, on Saturday.
A special purpose vehicle, with 26 per cent ownership with RVNL, 11 per cent with the state-run Maharashtra Maritime Board and the rest with the port company, will be executing the 33.7-km line connecting the port, about 150km from Mumbai, with the nearest railhead at Roha on Konkan Railway.
In accordance with the Centre's policy to promote waterways and connect private ports with rail network and roads, the state government has taken an initiative to connect all ports.
The chief minister had also assured in the recently- concluded Budget session of the state Legislature that Dighi port would be provided with a rail connection.
Fadnavis said the state government has given clearance to a few more port projects and is actively working on exploiting the port capacity of the state.
