MODERNISATION OF MAJOR PORTS

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Development and modernization of major ports is an on-going process to cope with the demands of maritime trade. Towards this end, during the Ninth Plan period the major ports have created aggregate additional capacity of 124.40 MTPA through construction of additional berths and terminals, expansion/extension of existing berths, upgradation of cargo handling equipment and floating crafts through replacement and fresh acquisitions etc. This included completion and operationalisation of two major projects namely, construction of a new port at Ennore near Chennai and the creation of mechanized coal handling facilities at Paradip Port involving a total capacity addition of 32 MTPA. In addition, schemes for improvement in draught and measures for improvement in productivity through modern management techniques were also executed. Port-wise breakup of expenditure on the schemes taken up/completed during the Ninth Plan period is given below:-

S.No. Name of the Port Trust Expenditure (Rs. In crores)

i) Kolkata 231.95

ii) Mumbai 521.69

iii) Jawaharlal Nehru 203.15

iv) Chennai 1080.30*

v) Cochin 77.31

vi) Vizag 354.80

vii) Kandla 259.15

viii) Mormugao 104.52

ix) Paradip 732.19

x) New Mangalore 234.86

xi) Tuticorin 304.50

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Total 4104.42

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*Includes Rs.803.08 cores on works executed for constuction of Ennore Port.

The above information was given by Shri Su. Thirunavukkarasar, Minister of State for Shipping in written reply to a question by Shri Surendra Lath, in Rajya Sabha today.