The Hindu Business Line : Minister holds meeting on maritime policy

THE Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Mr T.R. Baalu, held a meeting with representatives of the shipping industry and port sector in Mumbai on Friday on the National Maritime Policy.

Speaking on the occasion, he said efforts to promote private investment in the port development had met with some success, with 18 projects involving private investment of about Rs 6,000 crore having already been approved. Projects involving more than Rs. 3,400 crore of private investment were under consideration, he pointed out.

"It is our endeavour to develop select ports as special economic zones (SEZs) for which land requirement will be suitable modified. Appropriate structures for attracting private capital to develop the infrastructure for setting up of the SEZs within the port will be put in place," the Minister said.

Pointing out that the increasing utilisation of cargo has made the issue of road and rail connectivity to the ports a critical component for port functioning, Mr Baalu said the ports needed to be encouraged to participate in special purpose vehicles for providing hinterland connectivity.

The Shipping Secretary, Mr D.T. Joseph, the Chairman of Shipping Corporation of India, Mr P.K. Srivastav, the JNPT Chairman, Mr Ravi Budhiraja and other officials were present.