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No move to convert major ports into firms: Gadkari

He told the Lok Sabha that the government plans to replace the Major Port Trusts Act to modernise and ensure more operational freedom for the ports. 

“There is no proposal to convert the major ports into corporate companies,” Gadkari said during 
Question Hour. He said the performance of government-owned ports have shown better performance compared to the private ones. 

“A proposal to replace the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963 is under consideration of the government with a view to modernise the institutional structure of major ports and secure greater operational freedom for the ports in tune with present day requirements,” the Minister said. 

He said as per the proposal under consideration, the interests of labour has been taken care of by 
“providing for a labour nominee in the board of each port authority”.

Gadkari said modernisation of ports is a continuous process through construction and mechanisation of berths and expansion of port capacity, among others.

In the last three financial years, Shipping Ministry has awarded 86 projects entailing an investment of Rs 46,588.17 crore involving capacity addition of 534.90 million tonnes, he said. Responding to supplementary questions, Gadkari said efforts would be made to develop the Mumbai port and make it a world class one.

April-July Cargo traffic at major ports rises 5.2% 
Cargo traffic at state-run major ports increased by 5.2 per cent to 212.78 million tonnes in April-July against 202.11 million tonnes in the same period last year. 

“The total traffic handled at major ports during April to July, 2016, was 212.78 mt against 202.11 mt handled during the corresponding period of previous year,” Ministry of Shipping said in a statement. 

During the period between April to July, 2016 Kandla Port handled the highest volume of traffic ie 35.85 mts, followed by Paradip with 28.65 million tonnes (mt), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) with 20.93 mt and Vishakhapatnam at 20.90 mt.  Among the commodities, share of petroleum, oil and lubricants was maximum with 31.98 per cent, it added. 
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