Giving a boost to coastal shipping, government plans to develop non-major ports

The government is planning to develop non-major ports with an aim to boost coastal shipping in the country. According to reports, financial support is being provided to  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 Rs 190 crore with central share of Rs 105 crore and proposal worth Rs 480 crore for 29 projects have been submitted by the state governments, as per reports. In Andhra Pradesh, the Port Department has a proposal to construct nine passenger jetties. So far, 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 Andhra Pradesh 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 will be implemented by the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board. Besides, Goa has taken up the project of constructing nine passenger jetties and the DPR of which was under preparation. Also 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.