minister g.k.vasan informs that various projects to be taken during 12th Five year Plan period for the development and capacity addition at major Ports

The handling (offloading) capacity of the Major Ports in the Country is sufficient to match with the trade demands. The capacity of all Major Ports as on 31.03.2013 was 744.91 Million Metric Tonnes(MMT) against the traffic of 545.79 MMT handled in 2012-13. The capacity utilization is around 72%. As per the internationally accepted norms the gap between the Traffic and the capacity should be around 30%.

Government has chalked out various projects to be taken during 12th Five year Plan period for the development and capacity addition at major Ports. Government is regularly monitoring the projects of capacity enhancement like construction & modernisation of berths, installation of state of art equipment & mechanization of cargo handling system at ports including the dredging projects to accommodate large vessels at major ports. The present status of the capacity augmentation projects is given in Annexure.

This information was given by the Minister of Shipping Shri G.K. Vasan in a written reply

Setting up of Major Ports
The Government has decided to set up two new major ports – one each at Sagar in West Bengal and the other at Dugarajapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. In respect of the Sagar Port, RITES has estimated capital cost (including connectivity project) at Rs. 7820 crores. The tentative cost for Dugarajapatnam has been estimated at Rs. 7988 crore by the Technical Committee set up by Ministry of Shipping. However, the feasibility study of the proposed location is also being carried out by RITES. In respect of Ports at Sagar and Dugarajapatnam, the concessions are targeted to be awarded in the financial year 2014-15.

The Government has initiated a series of measures to modernise Major Ports in the country. As part of the endeavour, in 2012-13, 32 projects were awarded involving an estimated cost of Rs. 6765 crores with capacity addition of 136.75 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA). During the current financial year (till date) total number of projects awarded is 5 involving a capacity addition of 48.59 MTPA with an investment of Rs. 2045.25 crores.

This information was given by Minister of Shipping Shri G.K. Vasan in a written reply