Gandhinagar:Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya today said the Gujarat Maritime Board has sought permission to set up a special force to secure 48 minor ports under its control.

His ministry was considering the proposal positively and would consult the Home Ministry before any decision, he added.

“Gujarat has a 1,600-km-long coastline and security of ports is very important. At present GMB controls 48 minor ports in Gujarat. Recently GMB has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Shipping to establish its own force of 1,500 SRP jawans to secure these ports,” Mandaviya told reporters here.

As per the proposal, GMB is ready to bear half of the cost of Rs 350 crore which the project would entail.

“GMB wants the Centre to bear the remaining 50 per cent of the budget. My ministry will hold discussion with Home Ministry as well as Gujarat government before arriving at a decision,” said Mandaviya, who was here to meet GMB officials.

He also announced that large scanners which can scan the containers without opening them would be installed.

“One such container scanner is already working at Kandla port, which is a major port … two such scanners would start functioning at Mundra and Pipavav ports. Later such facility will be provided in remaining ports,” said the minister.

Mandaviya apprised GMB officials about various clearances given by his ministry for the development of ports, harbours, shipping building yard at Bhavnagar, ship-breaking yard at Alang and other infrastructure in the state.

“The Centre has decided to release Rs 200 crore for the welfare of workers of Alang ship-breaking yard in Bhavnagar.

We have also assured all kind of support to Gujarat government for starting RO-RO ferry service between Ghogha and Dahej next year. The Centre would also give Rs 50 crore to develop Veraval and Mangrol as fishing harbours,” said Mandaviya. PTI