New port of call

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Monday , May 05, 2008 at 2011 hrs for any foreign investor, with FDI issues having been reasonably well resolved. There’s domestic funding, too.

Trade inertia could prove trickier. The domestic trade is quite content with the existing system of high-cost, low-efficiency cargo transport. But those who want to see lower wastage, higher efficiency, faster growth and a more dynamic economy are also from the same trade. The latter, in fact, are growing louder than the former. There’s a globally-exposed generation that is demanding world-class port infrastructure and sensible freight options. This new youthful restlessness to overcome maritime inertia will prove to be the prime motivator. In the past, those groaning the loudest about bad infrastructure were the very forces posing impediments to progress. This seems to be changing.

Indian Railways are waking up to competition from sea routes. Roads remain entangled in Centre-State googlies. If modern ports are built, the resultant reduction in dependence on rail and road networks will be a significant boost for the Indian economy. In other countries, ports themselves build access road and rail links, and this should happen here too.

The story for the moment is the accelerating pace of seaport activity along the coasts of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and even Tamil Nadu. There’s no reason why the entire coastline should not turn active. Sea transportation is an important element of the India’s economic emergence. No time should be lost muddling our way towards the future.

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