Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines for Indian port performance index on Friday. The move aims at enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of Indian ports. As per an official statement, the Union shipping ministry has also devised an action plan to expedite the implementation of agreements made during the Global Maritime India Summit 2023
‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines
The ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines for National Benchmarking of Indian Ports Performance will be enforced across all seaports in India, with the goal of boosting their efficiency and competitiveness.
During a meeting with Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, port representatives provided an update on the progress of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) inked at the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 (GMIS 2023).
At GMIS 2023, a total of 360 MoUs were signed, reflecting an investment commitment of Rs 8.35 lakh crore, alongside the unveiling of additional investible projects valued at Rs 1.68 lakh crore.
Vadhavan Port gets green nod
Maharashtra’s Vadhavan Port in Palghar has been given the environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Sonowal, on Friday, said the shipping ministry will soon be seeking cabinet approval for the Rs 76,220 crore project.
The development of Vadhavan Port is a collaborative effort between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board. It received in-principle approval from the Centre on February 13, 2020, with the terms of reference (ToR) being approved on October 7 of the same year.
“The Union Environment Ministry has given clearance to the Vadhavan Port project… We are soon going to get cabinet approval (for the project),” Sonowal said.
The port, projected to cost approximately Rs 76,220 crore in construction, received approval from the Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority (DTEPA) on July 31, 2023.
Opposition to Vadhavan port
The proposal for establishing a port at Vadhavan has faced opposition from local residents, farmers, and fishermen. Last month, a public hearing was conducted to allow people to voice their concerns and offer suggestions regarding the port.
Vadhavan port benefits from its natural depth and proximity to inland clusters, as well as its proximity to the upcoming dedicated freight corridors, which will help in reducing maintenance costs. It is also well-suited for accommodating larger container vessels ranging from 16,000 to 25,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The project will incorporate sophisticated cargo handling systems designed to minimise environmental impact.
The development of the new port will be undertaken by Vadhavan Port Project, a joint venture between JNPA holding a 74 percent stake and the Maharashtra Maritime Board holding a 26 percent stake, following the landlord model outlined in government policy, to be executed in two phases.
(With PTI inputs)
