Union Minister for Shipping GK Vasan informed the Rajya Sabha that the government took some steps to boost cargo handling in major ports.
These include construction of new berths and terminals to enhance port capacity to minimise pre-berthing detention time and reduce turnaround time of vessels calling on the ports.
Modernising berths with state-of-the art loading or unloading equipment to improve operational efficiency.
Deepening of channels and berths so that ports can accommodate larger vessels.
Improving rail or road connectivity of ports for speedy evacuation of cargo.
The minister further informed that during 2012-13, except for Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Mormugao, all other major ports have handled cargo almost at par with or more than that handled during the previous year.
The reasons for decline in traffic at some major ports include: Ban on mining of Iron ore and export of iron ore, less import of finished fertilizers, general recession in global economy, direction of HonÂ’ble High Court of Madras to shift handling of dirty cargo out of Chennai Port, the minister said.
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