Narendra Modi government's port modernisation may take longer
Many major ports have not got any allocation this year while some ports have got very negligible sum.
Chennai: The Narendra Modi government’s claim on port modernisation in five years may take a longer period. As against a demand for additional fund of Rs 467.48 core for meeting the commitments made during 2016-17, the government has allotted a mere Rs 29.01 crore for modernisation of Chennai, Tuticorin and Mormugao ports.
Many major ports have not got any allocation this year while some ports have got very negligible sum. Many important projects of the major ports as mentioned by the Union shipping ministry have been kept aside due to non-allocation of funds.
Taking a serious view of the meagre allocation for the major Ports, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, while recommending additional allocation for the ports, said the present allocation is very insignificant compared to the role and importance of the ports in earning revenue for the country and generating employment on large scale.
Compared to 2015-16, the allocation in 2016-17 for the major ports have been highly insufficient, which will adversely affect the modernisation\capacity enhancement projects of the Tuticorin, Chennai and Mormugao ports.
Though the ministry of shipping has completed preparatory work relating to port modernisation; coastal shipping and coastal berths, all these require additional funds for completion.