Govt´s steps to boost shipping industry

In order to boost the shipping sector, the Union Government has taken several initiatives, such as facilitating the development of new ports, launching the ambitious Sagarmala project and developing the inland waterways network, said Nitin Gadkari, the Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister. He said, ¨Two new ports are being set up at Dugarajapatnam and Sagar in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, respectively.¨ The Cabinet had earlier approved this proposal at an investment of around Rs 15,820 crore, he said. Sagarmala, Gadkari highlighted, would give a major boost to the sector as it is aimed at not only ¨modernising the ports along India´s coastline, but also achieving rapid expansion and development of inland and coastal navigation by optimising the use of existing and future transport assets.¨ Once the project is complete, it would provide assured depth of three meters for 1,500-2,000 DWT ships.