New maritime policy to ensure hinterland connectivity

The new maritime policy proposed by the government envisages integrated development of the maritime sector, which also encompasses hinterland connectivity to ensure least distance access to the ports, minister of shipping G K Vasan informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.

He said the government expects no hurdles in the execution of the projects under the proposed maritime policy, which after implementation will lead to the expansion of maritime sector.

He, however, said there are around 246 pending court cases pertaining to maritime sector on issues relating to allotment of land, port charges, policy issues, projects, selection of bidders, personnel matters etc.

Meanwhile, the minister clarified that the Public-Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) under the finance ministry des not short-list any private company for development of infrastructure at major ports in the country. 

PPP projects that have been appraised and approved by PPPAC are currently at various stages of  award / implementation. These projects include:

* Construction of a 10 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) deep draft iron ore berth at Paradip Port, at a cost of around Rs591 crore;