Dr A V Ramana, Chairman of the Additional Mangalore Port Authority, announced on Tuesday that three new projects worth Rs 695 crores will be implemented under PM Gati Shakti.
Mechanization of Berth No.14 for handling container and other cargos on a DBFOT basis in partnership with JSW, construction of new Berth No.17 for handling bulk and dry-bulk cargos at Rs 217 crores, and development of fishing harbour at Kulai at Rs 197 crores are among the projects.
The PM Gati Shakti, a National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity, was released in October 2021 at a cost of Rs 100 lakh crores with the goal of developing infrastructure while lowering logistics costs and boosting the economy. This includes 16 various ministries such as shipping, waterways, railways, roadways and so on for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects.
Dr. A V Ramana, speaking at a press conference here, said that the PM Gati Shakti combines infrastructure schemes from various Ministries and State Governments, including Bharatmala, Sagarmala, Inland Waterways, Dry/Land Ports, UDAN, textile clusters, pharmaceutical clusters, defence corridors, electronic parks, industrial corridors, fishing clusters, and agri-zones. He also stated that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has identified 101 projects to improve port connectivity with consumption and production centres as part of the National Master Plan.
In addition, he mentioned that 111 waterways in 24 states around the country have been designated as National Waterways.
“Due to semi-mechanized handling of containers, there was tremendous need for the augmentation of the port capacity in handling containers. Mechanized handling of containers at Berth No. 14 will satisfy this and boot the economy of Karnataka’s hinterlands,” he said.
Further, he added that NMPA has signed a Concession Agreement with JSW Infrastructure Limited to develop and operate container terminal on PPP model at a cost of Rs 281 crores which will generate a considerable amount of direct and indirect employment.
“As the containers are clean cargo, higher containerization will lead to environmental benefits for the port maritime and shore ecosystems. The mechanization is also expected to increase efficiency and thereby reduce turnaround time, pre-berthing delay and dwell time in the Port. Thus, mechanization facilitates multi-modal connectivity by reducing logistics cost and seamless supply,” said Dr A V Ramana.
Explaining the need for mechanization, he further noted that the Port will need a deep draft Berth to handle the dry bulk and break-bulk cargos arriving through large ships of 60,000 dwt and above.
“The modern-day vessel sizes require 14 meters draft or above and lack thereof would bring down the trade potential of the hinterland. As it is necessary to build sufficient infrastructure so that the trade can be facilitated, the Port proposed to construct a new Berth No.17 for multi-purpose cargo handling,” he said.
He also stated that the project’s estimated cost will result in the employment of around 2000 workers. According to the DPR, berth number 17 will handle 131 vessels carrying various types of bulk cargo and will create a total tonnage of 4.73 MTPA. The Port expects to earn Rs 16.52 crore in wharfage and Rs 17.92 crore in VR revenue. The project’s implementation will meet the need and offer the required infrastructure for enhancing trade and employment in the region, according to the project’s goals.
In addition, at a cost of Rs 197 crores, the NMPA is working on the construction of a Fishing Harbour in Kulai, near the Port.
“It will contribute to increasing the fish and crustacean supplies to domestic and foreign markets. The project is estimated to employ 2720 sea-going fishermen and 1280 persons in shore-based establishments and allied industries. Fishermen are expected to earn an income of about Rs 55.27 crores. The sale of fish and other products will bring in revenue of Rs 192.20 crore with an export bill of Rs 33.88 crores,” said the NMPA Chairman.
He added that, “the project will decongest the over-crowded old fishing harbour at Mangaluru and offer safe sanctuary for fishing boats, especially during monsoon and rough sea conditions.”
