Mumbai: The government is planning to award 17 major port development projects to private players, under the ambitious National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP), local media reports.
"We would like to have more private participation in the maritime sector under the NMDP. As per the current plans, 17 projects will be awarded to the private sector," said the shipping secretary, Mr K. Mohandas.
These 17 projects, once completed, will enhance the cargo handling capacity by 183.5 million tonne per annum (MTPA), Mr Mohandas added.
The NMDP envisages to increase the capacity of major ports across the country by 410 MTPA, involving an investment of Rs 62,000 crore, he said.
"We are ready to provide support to all private sector players to set up ports and other maritime development projects," Mr Mohandas added.
Designed as a public-private-partnership project, the NMDP was launched in 2005 to implement 276 projects by March 2012. India has been far slower than its neighbours in offering private players the chance to get in on the nation's ports scene. [14/12/09]
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