Mar 17, 2017: Significant improvement in efficiency has been achieved by the major ports in the last two years. With a view to improve further the efficiency and productivity of the major ports and make it comparable internationally, a benchmarking study of major ports to international standards has been conducted which has recommended 116 initiatives out of which 70 have already been implemented.
Under the Sagarmala programme, the Government has proposed to connect ports with National Highways and Rail network for efficient evacuation to and from hinterland. Fifty rail connectivity enhancement projects have been identified, out of which 25 have been taken up by the Indian Port Rail Corporation Ltd. (IPRCL) for implementation. Similarly, 79 road connectivity projects have also been identified to improve connectivity of major ports with hinterland.
Also, Foreign Direct Investment upto 100 percent under automatic route is already permitted in the port sector. This has resulted in several Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects coming up in the major ports. At present, a total of 33PPP Projects with an investment of Rs. 17817.96 cr. are operational and 20 more PPP projects with an investment of Rs. 22362.67 cr. are under implementation. As regards inland water transport sector, Government intends to have private sector participation for the development of IWT terminals, fairway, operation and maintenance of terminals, vessels and navigational aids.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.