Expedite Rs 936 cr Paradip Port projects: Baalu

New Delhi, July 8 (UNI) Shipping Minister T R Baalu has directed the Paradip Port authorities to expedite the two Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects worth Rs 936 crore relating to the development of deep draught berths.

The first one worth Rs 520.65 is for handling iron ore, and the other worth Rs 415.90 crore is for handling of coal on BOT basis.

''The Port authorities should complete in time the 12 remaining projects under the National Maritime Development Programme,'' Mr Baalu said yesterday at the review meeting of the Paradip Port, which saw a traffic growth of more than 17 per cent in the first quarter of 2008-09.

He said immediate measures should also be taken to improve the ship berth day output at the Port.

A team of officials from the Ministry along with the Managing Director, Indian Ports Association, would visit the Port and suggest an Action Plan after interacting with all the shareholders, he added.

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