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The port capacity in the country, including major and non-major ports, crossed 1 billion tonnes during 2010-11, according to Mr Rakesh Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Ports), Ministry of Shipping.
Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of the National Maritime Day celebrations at New Mangalore Port Trust on Tuesday, he said that it is a major milestone in the history of Indian maritime sector. “Achieving more than 1,000 million tonnes is not a small achievement,” he said.
Mr Srivastava said that the target is to reach a capacity of 3.2 billion tonnes by 2020.
He said that the Indian Ports Act of 1908 and Indian Major Ports Trust Act of 1963 will be merged.
“After the Minister's approval the draft will put up on the Web site of the Ministry for the comments from stakeholders,” he said.
After getting their comments, the Bill will be introduced in Parliament. Mr Srivastava said that the new Act will apply to all the ports — major and non-major ports — in the country.
Stating that the Shipping Ministry has undertaken some steps, he said the Maritime Agenda for 2010-20 was launched in January. The national maritime development programme, which is in its last year of implementation, will come to an end on March 31, 2012. “Therefore we needed an agenda to carry forward the aspirations and hopes of the maritime sector in the country,” he said.
Stating that a new major port is likely to come up in Andhra Pradesh, the Joint Secretary said: “We have identified the location, and informed it to the Government of Andhra Pradesh. As soon as the comments are received, we shall go ahead and establish the new port there.”
To a query on the issue of tax-free bonds for the development of port sector in the country, he said the nitty-gritty is being worked out.
Mr P. Tamilvanan, Chairman of New Mangalore Port Trust, presided over the Maritime Day celebrations at New Mangalore Port.
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