Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandavia on Thursday said that the Central Government would give more than Rs400 crore for the infrastructural development of minor ports in Gujarat.
“Former Gujarat Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the ports of Gujarat as doors for economic development of the State and initiated plethora of projects related to it. The Central Government is committed to take these projects forward,” said Mandavia while talking to reporters in the State capital Gandhinagar. Union Government has sanctioned several projects to give momentum to port led development in Gujarat, said the Minister adding, “Rs37 crore financial aids has been granted for the construction of new berth to develop coastal cargo and passenger services at Porbander port. For the development of fisheries harbour near between coastal towns Mangrol and Veraval, Rs50 crore has been granted by the Central Government.”
In order to speed up Ghogha–Dahej RoRo ferry service, the Government of India would give Rs117 crore for dredging work, he said, adding that Rs200 crore has been allotted to construct hospital and workers’ hostel at Asia’s biggest ship breaking yard Alang in Bhavnagar district. The Union Government has also planned to develop training centre at Alang for the safety of workers there, he added. Under the Sagar Mala project of Modi Government, new roads would be developed to connect Alang yard with Mandva, Mithi Viradi, Hathan and Bhavanagar to ease goods as well as passenger transportation, he said.
A project related to Marine Ship Building Yard near coastal Bhavnagar town is also in pipeline, said the Minister.
“Port development along Gujarat coast would give momentum to PM Modi’s dream of ‘Make in India’ and ultimately benefitted to overall industrial development of Gujarat. The Central Government is also committed to simplify laws and in the process to amend ‘Inland Vessel Act–1917’ and ‘Merchant Shipping Act–1958’.