World Bank team visits Cochin Port

Kochi, May 17 (UNI) A nine-member team of experts from the World Bank, led by George Tharakan, visited the Cochin Port today, as part of its study of the Indian Port sector.

In the context of the rapidly expanding trade in India, the World Bank is undertaking a strategic review of the port sector in India to identify measures which would ensure that investments take place in the sector in a timely and cost-effective manner.

The study team will review the demand-supply situation with respect to the port sector and identify physical, financial and policy constraints in the development of the sector and suggest mitigation measures.

The team members, include Mr Michael Pinto, former secretary, Union Shipping Ministry, Advisor, Mr Alok Bansal, senior transport planner, Ms Nupar Gupta, transport specialist, Dr Ismael Mobarak, and consultants Prof G Raghuram and Mr Jim McCaul.

The team held discussions with Mr N Ramachandran, Chairman, Deputy Chairman Subhash Kumar and other senior officers of the Cochin Port Trust (CPT). It also visited the Puthuvypeen and Vallarpadam areas where various maritime related development projects are proposed, CPT sources here said.

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