Agency reports indicate that the union shipping ministry awarded 27 projects worth Rs 6,302.31 crore between April 1, 2012 and March 19, 2013. It may be recalled that the ministry aimed to award 42 projects entailing Rs 14,500-crore investment in 2012-13.
The targeted 42 projects were to raise the capacity of major ports by 245 million tonne (mn t). However, the awarded projects, when completed, would raise the capacity of 12 major ports by only 115.04 mn t. At the end of March, 2012, the capacity of major ports was 689.83 mn tpa.
In December 2012, the Prime Minister instructed the shipping ministry to expedite port projects while reviewing the pace of project award. The projects have been delayed on account of regulatory hurdles including security clearances.
Among the 27 projects awarded this year, the prominent one is the Rs 1,500 crore scheme for installing two single point moorings (SPM) for IOCL refinery at Paradip port and Rs 1,143 crore scheme for setting up SPM facilities off Mangalore coast.
Other projects awarded this year include a Rs 785 crore project for development of ship repair facility for 90 small and 120 medium size ships at Cochin port and Rs 600 crore project for development of standalone container handling facility at JNPT.
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