Baalu asks major ports to increase efficiency

New Delhi, Nov 1 (UNI) The functioning of major ports came under the scanner at the highest level here today with Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T R Baalu calling for enhanced efforts to increase their efficiency and achieve the targets set out for them.

At a meeting to review the performance of major Ports with regard to the implementation of Plan Projects and efficiency indicators, Mr Baalu said various options should be examined for augmenting the dredging capacity in the country.

The minister suggested that major ports should optimally utilise equipment available for on-going dredging requirements.

In this connection, he asked port authorities to streamline the procedures for procurement of tugs and other equipment.

Mr Baalu was informed that the half-yearly traffic handled by the major Ports in 2006-07 was about 215 MT, which marked an increase of 6.13 per cent over the corresponding period last year.

Efficiency parameters like turnround time and pre-berthing time registered improvement over the corresponding period last year in respect of most of the major ports.

However, in some ports, this increase was due to priority berthing being accorded to vessels carrying wheat and fertiliser.

Mr Baalu also reviewed the progress of important projects such as Off-Shore Container Terminal, Second Chemical Berth and Harbour Wall Berths at Mumbai Port, dredging projects at the JNPT, Paradip, Ennore and Tuticorin Ports, International Container Transhipment Terminal Project at Cochin and development of facilities at Tekra (Tuna) at Kandla.

He also asked his ministry officials to coordinate efforts with the port authorities to expedite work on the pending projects.

UNI SKS CS DS1700