To revive minor ports, govt to form 'National Grid for Ports'

Union Minister of Shipping Mansukh Lal Mandaviya said that a 'National Grid for Ports' will be made to conduct a thorough study of the 160 non-functional minor ports. Through this, major ports will be able to support minor ports, he added.

New Delhi: In a bid to restart 160 non-functional minor ports, Union Minister of Shipping Mansukh Lal Mandaviya on Tuesday announced that a 'National Grid for Ports' will be made to conduct a thorough study of all these minor ports.

Mandaviya made this announcement after chairing the 17th Maritime State Development Council meet in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Secretaries of all coastal states and ministers from three states.

"Every single of these minor ports have some sort of potential. There was a time when all these ports were functional. We have decided to form a National Grid for Ports through which major ports will be able to support minor ports," he said.

Responding to a question, the Union Minister assured that the study of all these ports will be completed in the span of six months.

He further went on to announce that his ministry's most ambitious Major Port Authorities Bill will be introduced in the upcoming session of the Parliament.

Fate of the Major Port Authorities Bill has been hanging in balance since 2016, when it was introduced in the Lok Sabha for the first time. The bill seeks to provide greater autonomy and flexibility to major ports.

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