As part of the fiscal year 2013-14 budget plan, major state-owned ports will receive approximately $120 million for the maintenance dredging projects, the Indian Ministry of Shipping announced yesterday.
In the fiscal year 2012-13, which ended on March 31, 2013, the Government had already allocated about $45.4 million for these purposes, reports joc.com.
Regarding this issue, the Shipping Minister, G.K. Vasan , stated: “ Three Major Ports, such as Chennai, Ennore and Vishakapatnam, have navigational channels with more than 17-meter (about 56-foot) drafts and are capable of handling larger vessels. Also, the government has been providing subsidy to meet the cost of maintenance dredging in Kolkata Port, which is a riverine port with a very long navigational channel.”
The Government has also been providing budgetary support to major ports to undertake capital dredging projects.
Moreover, all major ports are given annual targets for dredging which is closely monitored by the Government.
[mappress]
Dredging Today Staff, May 1, 2013