Govt to develop ports to boost tourism: Shegaonkar

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Jan 27: In order to boost tourism and fishing business in Konkan region, the Democratic Front (DF) government has decided to undertake development of small ports on Built, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, Maharashtra Minister of State for Housing, Slums, Ports and Kharland development, Pritamkumar Shegaonkar today said.

Addressing the 'Meet the Press' programme organised here by the Aurangabad Zilla Marathi Patrakar Sangh (AZMPS), Mr Shegaonkar said the government was planning to undertake development of atleast half of the total 48 small ports.

According to Mr Shegaonkar, a status report of the small ports has been sought by his ministry from the officials.

There would be a great potential for development in tourism and industry in Konkan, once these ports provided adequate infrastructure, he said.

The minister further said fishing business would be given a boost at these small ports besides establishing a transport link between these ports and prominent cities of the state.

Mr Shegaonkar said private developers would be approached for undertaking the development on BOT basis.

UNI