Panel to monitor port projects

NEW DELHI, June 2: Faced with delays in implementation of port projects, the Cabinet Secretariat has decided to monitor select ongoing projects involving nearly Rs 10,000 crore to facilitate speedy implementation and timely clearances. Nearly 60 projects have been identified by the Ministry of Surface Transport (MoST) at the 11 major ports and a few minor ports.MoST sources said the projects required immediate intervention of the Cabinet Secretariat for timely clearances.

Most of these projects are at the 11 major ports led by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Tuticoran. Of these, some of the projects (with private participation) are marine chemical terminal at a cost of $535 million and six berth terminal in Nhava Creek at $335 million at JNPT, container handling facilities at $80 million at Tuticoran Port, new outer harbour at Visakhapatnam Port, and LPG and LNG terminal at $100 million at Puthuvyeen Cochin Port.