Nitin Gadkari  

Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said a blueprint for 142 expansion projects had been finalised to modernise 12 major ports and develop new harbours at a cost of about Rs. 90,000 crore.

These 12 ports, under the administrative control of the Centre, saw a growth of 3.24% in cargo to 326.4 million tonne (mt) in the April-September period this fiscal as against 316.1 mt in the corresponding period last fiscal. “A master plan for modernisation of the 12 ports, besides development of new ports, has been finalised. These ports are growth catalysts of modern India.”

A total of 142 expansion projects worth more than Rs. 90,000 crore have been identified for these ports and timely delivery of projects will give the much needed boost to the economy, Mr. Gadkari added. “Out of 142 identified expansion projects, 57 projects are under implementation and one has been completed.”

The April-September figures of cargo at 12 major ports show the highest year-on-year growth was registered by Cochin Port (19.62%), followed by Kolkata, New Mangalore and Paradip (12% each). The growth at Cochin Port was mainly due to increase in traffic of petroleum, oil and lubricants (27.8%).