The government today said steps such as launch of Sagarmala project, setting up of new ports and a fillip to inland waterways are underway to make Indian shipping sector vibrant.
In a message on National Maritime Week, which starts today, Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said initiatives had been taken to revive the rich cultural heritage of India in shipping as the country's maritime traditions go back to Indus Valley Civilisation when "the first port in the world was set up in Lothal".
Expressing commitment for all round, robust and integrated growth of the shipping and port sector, Gadkari said, "Two new ports are being set up at Durgarajapatnam and Sagar in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal respectively" under PPP mode, in addition to existing 12 major ports.
The Union Cabinet had earlier approved a proposal for these ports to be set up at an investment of about Rs 15,820 crore.
Gadkari said Sagarmala project was another initiative to propel the sector's growth as it not only aims at "modernising the major ports along India's coastline, but also achieving rapid expansion and development of inland and coastal navigation by optimising the use of existing and future transport assets."
The Ministry has requested for Rs 692 crore for 2015-16 against which Rs 200 crore have been allocated. The Cabinet last week had given nod for it.
To augment inland water transport, "Jal Marg Vikas Project" has been announced and aims at strengthening of open river navigation technique and hardware, including dredging, night navigation facilities, latest state of art terminal facility and modern channel-making methods, he said.
The completion of the project would provide assured depth of 3 meter for plying 1500 to 2000 DWT vessels for commercial navigation between Haldia and Allahabad, he said, adding that it is being "implemented with financial assistance from World Bank at an estimated Rs 4,200 crore cost".
Under it, Varanasi-Haldia segment will be completed by June, 2019 while Varanasi-Allahabad stretch is slated for completion by December, 2020.
Gadkari said his Ministry is also considering relaxation of cabotage restriction for special vessels such as RO-RO and car/truck carriers, in short supply in India, besides ferries.
The Ministry is also considering relaxation of cabotage restriction for movement of EXIM containerised cargo for all ports in India located on the East Coast.
Cabotage is the transport of goods between two points in the same country. At present, the cabotage policy in India allows first preference to Indian flagships over cargo and foreign ships are allowed to carry it only when no suitable Indian flag vessel is available for the same.
Gadkari said under other measures to boost the sector, include financial assistance scheme for on-board ship training for merchant navy candidates, who can avail assistance to the tune of 30 per cent of the training cost or Rs 3 lakh, whichever is less, as grant-in-aid.
