The Central Government has invested Rs 3568.51 crore in the infrastructural development of Paradip Port during the previous five years. The only other significant port in the nation with a higher number is Kamarajar Port in Tamil Nadu.
According to the data shared by Union Minister for Ports Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Rs 6,221.36 has been invested in Kamarajar Port. Similarly, Rs 2846.45 has been invested during the same time period in Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai, the Minister’s reply revealed. The figure involves funds released/allocated / spent for programmes to increase the cargo handling capacity during the last five years.
There has been an increase in the cargo handling capacity of Major Ports from 1560.61 MTPA in 2020-21 to 1597.59 MTPA in 2021-22. The capacity at Non-Major Ports remains the same in the last two years, i.e. 1002.24 MTPA, which is adequate to handle the movement of cargo, given that the capacity utilisation was 59.73% in 2021-22.
A number of projects have been awarded in the last five years on up-gradation and capacity enhancement of the Major Ports, the Union Minister added.
Sonowal said, “Infrastructure development and capacity augmentation of Major Ports is a continuous process. It involves the construction of new berths and terminals, mechanization of existing berths and terminals, capital dredging for deepening of drafts for attracting larger vessels, development of road and rail connectivity etc.”
