Minor ports are a state government subject.
Speaking at the inauguration of the first joint sector Indian port in Pipavav at Gujarart on November 2, he said a sum of Rs 40,000 crore will be invested in port development in the next 20 years and the private sector will have to play a leading role.
Gujarat has identified 15 minor ports for development through private sector investment. Venkatram said of the 163 minor and intermediate ports in India, only 139 are operable and handled only 20 million tonnes of cargo in 1995-96 as against 215 million tonnes handled by the 11 major ports of the country.
The lack of efficient cargo handling equipment has affected the operations of minor ports, Venkatram said.
A regulatory authority will be set up to ensure the implementation of the various IMO conventions including those pertaining to ship safety and pollution control, he added.
Gujarat chief secretary S K Shelat said the state government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Netherlands for cooperation in port development.
The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shankersinh Vaghela, was also present on the ocassion.
Among the other speakers were A D Desai, chairman, and Nikhil Gandhi, vice-chairman & managing director of Gujarat Pipavav Port ( GPPL), the company floated for setting up Pipavav port.
Gujarat Governor Krishnapal Sinhji inaugurated the first berth which is 325 metres long.
It can handle general and container cargo.
