Date:06/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/06/stories/2005040600710700.htm

Back Maritime varsity to take shape this fiscal

Our Bureau

Mumbai , April 5

THE proposed Indian Maritime University, which will be bringing all the maritime training institutes in the country under its umbrella, will begin to take shape in the current fiscal.

Mr G.S. Sahni, Director-General of Shipping, told presspersons that a Bill towards setting up the proposed university has been prepared and it would shortly be sent to the Cabinet for approval. "Also we will be making the first budgetary provision this year for the university. The total cost of setting up the university will be about Rs 200 crore, which will be spent in a phased manner over the years," he said.

All the 130-odd maritime training institutes in the country will come under the umbrella of the university. This is a significant step in the light of the fact that India may face shortage in supply of officers on board ships in the coming years, given the projected growth of shipping fleet.