The Government
has no proposal for the expansion of coastal shipping operations
at present. It has since been decided by the Government to carry
out a study on development of coastal shipping and Minor Ports
through appointment of consultant. The areas identified in the
terms of reference for the study are as follows: -
- To identify cargo that can be
diverted to coastal shipping from other modes of transport
and the steps needed to achieve such a diversion.
- To evaluate future traffic potential
for coastal movement in the next ten years, including the
nature and volume of cargoes with their origins-destinations,
including availability of return cargo.
- To study the availability of
coastal routes and explore the possibility of developing new
ones to meet existing and potential demand.
- To identify minor ports (either
existing or yet to be established), for use by coastal shipping,
keeping in view rail/road connectivity and hinterland linkage
and to recommend the infrastructure needed at such ports.
- To examine the possibility of
establishing an integrated transport system between coastal
ships and Inland Water Transport and suggest specific locations
for this.
- To prepare a plan of action
that will operationalize the above and to give broad cost
estimates thereof.
. This was stated
by Shri Dilipkumar Mansukhlal Gandhi, Minister of State for
Shipping in a written reply to Shri Virendra Kumar in Lok Sabha
today.
