The Union government (India) on Wednesday (July 1) announced that it would award six port projects worth Rs 3,319.14 crore, to be developed on the public-private partnership (PPP) basis, in 100 days, Exim News Service informs.
According to the 100-day agenda of the Shipping Ministry, the six projects are expected to add capacity of 31.23 million tonnes and 1.97 million TEUs.
The proposed projects include plans for the development, at Paradip Port, of a deep draught iron ore berth and a coal berth, of 10-million tonne capacity each, at a cost of Rs 591.35 crore and Rs 479.01 crore, respectively.
The third project targets development of container terminals at a cost of Rs 312.23 crore at the Tuticorin Port in Tamil Nadu. A coal terminal at Mormugao Port entailing a cost of Rs 252.44 crore, to raise capacity to 4.61 million tonnes per annum has also been proposed.
A mechanised iron ore handling facility at New Mangalore Port as a back-up requirement to the deep draught at the multi-purpose Berth No. 14 would be developed at a cost of Rs 277.11 crore.
A Rs 1,407-crore container terminal would be developed at Ennore Port having capacity of 1.5 million TEUs.
These projects are in keeping with the Shipping Minister, Mr G. K. Vasan’s promise in early June to develop projects worth over Rs 3,000 crore in 100 days. The process for developing another 23 projects would also be initiated within these 100 days, he had assured.
Also included in the agenda is strengthening of the Indian Maritime University and placing orders for purchase of vessels by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI).