New Central Sector Scheme Supports Major Ports

Government of India has approved a new Central Sector Scheme aimed solely to provide support to Major Ports and create infrastructure that will promote coastal shipping.

Under the Scheme, the financial assistance is being given in the form of grant-in-aid for construction/upgradation of coastal berths and capital dredging projects that will deepen the berths and navigational channels.

As per the constitutional framework, Major Ports are under the control of the Central Government. All non-major ports are under the jurisdiction of State Governments.

In both Major and non-major ports, private investment through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode is the preferred mode for developing port infrastructure and most of the infrastructure has been developed through Public Private Partnership. In major ports in the last 2 years (2012-13 and 2013-14), 26 projects were awarded under PPP mode entailing an investment of Rs.15483.60 crores.