Less than 50% of targeted port projects awarded in FY13

New Delhi: The shipping ministry could award less than 50 percent of the targeted Rs 14,500 crore worth projects in 2012-13, aimed at augmenting major ports capacity by 245 million tonnes (MT).

“As on 19 March, the ministry could award 27 projects worth Rs 6,302.31 crore against a target of awarding 42 projects entailing Rs 14,500 crore investment,” said a top shipping ministry official.

This is despite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pushing for expediting port projects and the shipping ministry assuring the PMO that it would try to achieve 2012-13 target of awarding port projects with a capacity of 245 MT by 31 March.

The projects when completed would result in augmenting the capacity of 12 major ports by 115.04 MT instead of the targeted 245 MT to take the capacity to about 934 MT.

The capacity of major ports by the end of March, 2012, was recorded at 689.83 MTPA.

The official said that projects awarded during the fiscal include Rs 1,500 crore scheme for installing two single point moorings (SPM) for IOCL refinery at Paradip port and Rs 1,143 crore scheme for setting up SPM facilities off Managalore coast.

Besides, the Ministry also awarded a Rs 785 crore project for development of ship repair facility for 90 small and 120 medium size ships at Cochin port and Rs 600 crore project for development of standalone container handling facility at JNPT.

The prime minister while reviewing port projects in December 2012 had instructed the ministry to fast-track port projects.

India at present has 12 major ports - Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Kolkata (with Haldia), Chennai, Visakhapatanam, Cochin, Paradip, New Mangalore, Marmagao, Ennore, Tuticorin and Kandla.

The projects have been delayed on account of regulatory hurdles including security clearances.

PTI