Centre targets ₹42,300-cr port projects on PPP model

The Union Shipping Ministry has targeted a pipeline of 81 public private partnership (PPP) projects worth ₹42,300 crore for developing berths and terminals across the major ports by 2024-25. The ministry is identifying new road alignments, upgradation of existing roads, and new rail lines to manage the sizeable and emerging freight traffic demand. The initiatives under PM GatiShakti National Master Plan aim to provide systematic, multi modal connectivity to various economic zones for seamless movement of people, goods and services. There are 101 projects under the GatiShakti worth ₹62,627 crore for implementation by 2024, of which 13 projects costing ₹565 crore are supported financially by the Sagarmala scheme.

The National Logistics Policy has reinforced the push towards port connectivity and seamless movement of goods. NLP envisages creation of a single window e-logistics market to reduce logistics cost, improve India's trade competitiveness, to create more jobs and pave the way for India to become a logistics hub. Cargo movement through inland waterways and coastal shipping shall be enhanced to attain optimal multimodal transport mix. Regarding financing, the PPP model is considered as an effective mode for attracting investment. Up till now, 86 projects at major ports involving a whopping investment of ₹55,000 crore have already been granted approval under the PPP model.