To give a boost to coastal shipping in the country, the government is planning to develop non-major ports. According to officials, financial support is being provided to the all the ports and state governments for creation of infrastructure to promote movement of cargo and passengers by sea or National Waterways under central sector scheme – Assistance to Coastal Shipping Berths.
Five projects of coastal berth have already been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 190 crore with central share of Rs 105 crore and proposal of worth Rs 480 crore for 29 projects have been submitted by the state governments.
The state governments have been taking active interest in the scheme, the officials said.
In Andhra Pradesh, the Port Department has a proposal to construct nine passenger jetties. So far Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for two at Bheemunipatnam and Kalingapatnam have been submitted which are being examined by the Ministry of Shipping. The remaining DPRs for other passenger jetties are yet to be submitted by the AP Government.
In Gujarat, the Gujarat Maritime Board is planning a dedicated coastal berth for passenger and cargo by sea at Porbandar Port for which the administrative approval of the state government is awaited.
Similarly in Tamil Nadu, the DPR for the extension of passenger berthing facility at KanyaKumari Port was under implementation which would be implemented by the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board. Besides, the Captain of Ports, Goa has taken up the project of constructing nine passenger jetties and the DPR of which was under preparation. Similarly in Maharashtra, the Maharashtra Maritime Board has a proposal to construct nine passenger jetties and the the proposals were under process for approval in the Ministry of Shipping.UNI RBE CJ SV 1253