New Delhi/Mumbai: The Government is regularly monitoring the port projects for development/ expansion of the major ports. Construction of berths, installation of state of the art equipment, mechanisation of cargo handling system and dredging projects to accommodate large size vessels, etc are some of the port projects undertaken, stated Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan in reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
He added that to bring the major ports at par with the international standards, a study on benchmarking of efficiency and productivity of major ports was carried out. The study has identified 116 port-wise action points/initiatives, of which 91 initiatives have already been completed, Radhakrishnan stated. The order (dated 2.9.2015) on relaxation of cabotage has been issued by the Ministry for special vessels for a period of five years from the date of order, stated the Minister.
The minister also highlighted the acheivements of the ministry in port-related actvities. He added that policy changes have resulted in positive results. The average turn-round time, which was 82.28 hours during 2016-17, came down to 64.43 hours, he claimed. An average output per ship berthday improved during 2017-18. It was 15,333 tonnes during 2017-18, whereas during 2016-17, it was 14,576 tonnes.