Nodal agencies appointed to set up ports on east and west coast

New Delhi, Apr 18 (UNI) The Mumbai Port Trust and Ennore Port Limited have been nominated as nodal agencies for setting up of an international size shipyard each on the west and the east coast of the country respectively, a Shipping Ministry official said.

The nodal agencies have been authorised to appoint consultants to identify three or four alternative sites each for setting up of these shipyards and also suggest optimal locations with detailed justification.

The consultants will be tasked with the job of preparing detailed project reports and documents for request for proposals and qualifications for the setting up of the two shipyards.

''As such, no definite timeframe can be set at this stage for finalisation of the project and commencement of civil works,'' the official said.

The Andhra Pradesh Government has proposed Vodarevu in Prakasam district as a suitable site for setting up an international size shipyard.

Vodarevu, a non-Major Port, is well connected with the State Highway at a distance of five km and Howrah-Madras main railway line is about six km.

Due to its unique geographical position, it is a sheltered port.

In addition, the state government has assured that the required land would be made available free of cost for the setting up of a new shipyard.

The official said the Shipping Ministry had sought certain details regarding the location from the Andhra Pradesh government for going ahead with the project.

The ministry had projected to the Planning Commission an outlay of Rs.3000 crores, comprising Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) and Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources (IEBR), for the project, he added.

The official said under the Eleventh Plan (2007-2012), the capacity of Major Ports would be enhanced to 1016 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to cater to a projected traffic of 708 MTPA.

The proposed outlay for the Eleventh Plan for the Major Ports has been pegged at Rs.17551.24 crores, of which the GBS component is Rs.2056.98 crores.

Private sector investment is likely to be the tune of Rs.36868.24 crores.

All the 12 Major Ports have formulated Port Business Plan, with a 20-year perspective, and an Action Plan for a seven-year period, with a view to transforming them into ports with world class facilities.

UNI/SKS SB VC1826