Ports asked to augment capacity on schedule

NEW DELHI: The shipping, road transport and highways minister TR Baalu has asked 12 major ports to gear themselves for implementing their capacity augmentation plan in a time-bound manner.

The minister has also asked the Dredging Corporation of India to take immediate measures to augment its capacity by procurement of dredgers, self-propelled barges and upgradation of equipment so that the PSU can handle the increasing dredging opportunities in the major ports apart from the ongoing dredging works at the Sethsamudaram Corporation (SCL).

A committee constituted under the chairperson of the Indian Ports Association is likely to present its report on standardisation of tender documents soon so as to avoid procedural delays in tendering procedures.

At a review meeting of the performance of the port sector — the Dredging Corporation of India and the Sethusamudaram Corporation — the minister discussed the plan expenditure, implementation of projects and efficiency indicators. Mr Baalu reviewed the measures taken by the major ports to enhance security and directed the port chiefs to submit a detailed report on the action taken in this regard to the ministry.