New Delhi: Asserting that the cost under the pillar 'Port Modernisation' has shot up by Rs 20,000 crore, a parliamentary panel has underlined the need for speedy implementation of the projects under the 'Sagarmala Programme' and reiterated that the government may enumerate the precise reasons for delays and steps being taken to address it. The vision of Sagarmala is to reduce logistics cost for both domestic and EXIM cargo by building synergies between various agencies of the government and improve multimodal connectivity and linkages with minimal infrastructure investment.
The project intends to enhance the capacity of major and non-major ports, modernise them, strengthen port connectivity and evacuation infrastructure, simplify procedures adopted in ports, promote usage of electronic channels for information exchange leading to hassle-free and seamless cargo movement. "The Committee also notes that the cost under the pillar 'Port Modernization' has escalated by Rs 20,000 crores from Rs 2,59,817 crores to Rs 2,61,052 crore. "The committee underlines the need for speedy implementation of the projects under the Sagarmala Programme and reiterates its earlier recommendation that the Ministry may enumerate the precise reasons for delays, port-wise and steps being taken to address the delays," the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture said in a report tabled in Parliament.
The Committee said that it is concerned to note that in the last interaction on this subject in 2020-2021, the government had informed that 76 of the 242 projects under ports modernisation had been completed resulting in port capacity addition for more than 200 MTPA and 59 were under implementation. However, nearly a year afterwards, only one more additional project has been completed leading to a total of 77 completed projects while 36 projects at major ports and 15 projects at non-major ports are under implementation. No new projects appear to have been implemented, it said adding that no progress appears to have been made on the Vadhavan Port which as an 'all weather all cargo' port would have considerable economic benefits to the nation.