Online BusinessShipping Min seeks three-fold hike in budgetary allocations
The Shipping Ministry has sought a three-fold increase in budgetary allocations at Rs 1,055 crore for ports in the country in the next fiscal.
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The ministry has sent the proposal to the Planning Commission, a senior official said.
The port sector received Rs 385 crore for 2009-10 and is seeking a significant enhancement of the general budgetary support (GBS) to meet its plan expenditures, mainly dredging at various ports.
As much as Rs 188 crore is needed for the Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu, which is implementing the Rs 538 crore Capital Dredging Project, that involves deepening of the sea channel to enable the port to handle greater volumes.
About Rs 200 crore has been sought for developing rail connectivity and dredging works at the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam at the Cochin port.
ICTT, which is the first container transshipment terminal of India, is being developed on Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis under Private Public Partnership mode by Dubai-based firm DP World.
The government funds are also required towards Andaman and Lakshadweep Harbour Works (ALHW), he added.
ALHW is implementing programmes for providing ports and harbour structures, including allied facilities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. ALHW also undertakes Tsunami relief work.
"Last year, about Rs 35 crore of government funds were allocated towards the Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme (TRP). The same amount or more could go towards TRP this year as well," the official said.
He said the GBS would also be used for developing IT facilities at various ports.