Shipping ministry to set sail on Plan funds

NEW DELHI: After being pulled up last year for inadequate utilisation of Plan funds, the shipping ministry this year is in no mood to let the amount go unexhausted. In fact, the minister for shipping, road transport and highways, TR Baalu, has urged chairmen of major ports and senior officials of the ministry to get cracking to meet the objective.

At a meeting here on Tuesday, the minister drove home the point to match port development with the growing trade and reviewed the progress of the implementation of the National Maritime Development Project (NMDP). Plan allocation for the department of shipping has moved up by 37% to Rs 735 crore in ’06-07.

The NMDP, approved early this year, entails an investment of Rs 60,000 crore in the port sector and Rs 40,000 crore
in the shipping sector for projects like deepening of channels, development of berths and port connectivity. Majority of the projects are to be implemen ted through the public-private partnership route.

While taking stock of the projects under the NMDP, Mr Baalu urged chief executives of the ports to go in for deepening of port channels and expressed concern over the delay of the same at the Paradip port. Officials were asked to expedite feasibility reports for the port sector.