Date:06/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/07/06/stories/2006070601980700.htm

Back Call for time bound rail, road connectivity to ports

Our Bureau

New Delhi , July 5

Several States called for provision of road and rail connectivity to their ports in a time bound manner for attracting private investment.

Port Secretaries and the State Port Authorities of various maritime States and Union Territories suggested an earmarked budget for the purpose at an interactive session with Department of Shipping, said an official release.

Other issues

The other issues raised by the States related to the grant of environmental clearances in an expeditious manner, expeditious sanction of projects submitted by them under the viability gap funding scheme, the Central Government support for dredging projects and updating nautical survey maps.

They also underlined the need for better-integrated SEZ proposals particularly while sanctioning those near ports, it added.

Mr A.K. Mohaptara, Secretary, Department of Shipping, advised States to identify and furnish their prioritised rail and road connectivity projects so that necessary assistance could be given from the Central Government.

He projected that facilities for the 2,000 million tonnes capacity needed to be created to cope with the demands of the Maritime Trade by 2016-17.

Each Maritime State in its presentation outlined its future plans for the next five years and beyond.

The participants included Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Goa, West Bengal, Karnataka, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.