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The objective of the Maritime Agenda 2010–20 is not only creating more capacity but setting up ports on a par with the best international ports in terms of performance:
(i) A target of 3,130 MT port capacity has been set for the year 2020. More than 50 per cent of this capacity is to be created in the non-major ports as the traffic handled by these ports is expected to increase to 1,280 MT.
(ii) This enlarged scale of operation is expected to reduce transaction costs considerably and make Indian ports globally competitive.
(iii) Proposed investment in major and non-major ports by 2020 is expected to be around Rs. 2,96,000 crore.
(iv) Most of the investment to come from the private sector including FDI ( up to 100 per cent under the automatic route is permitted for construction and maintenance of ports), around 96 per cent, private sector to fund most of the projects through PPP or on ‘build operate transfer’ (BOT) or ‘build operate own transfer’ (BOOT) basis.
(v) Private-sector participation will not only increase investment in the ports infrastructure, it is expected to improve operations of the ports through the induction of the latest technology and better management practices.
(vi) Public funds will be mainly deployed for common use infrastructure facilities like deepening of port channels, rail and road connectivity from ports to hinterland, etc.