New Delhi: The Government of India has identified three Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) in Gujarat. These three CEZs will probably cover 13 districts in the state including Junagarh, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodra, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Valsad. Minister of State For Shipping Mr. Mansukh L. Mandaviya informed in the Rajya Sabha on November 28, 2016 in reply to a question raised by MP Mr. Parimal Nathwani.

According to the statement of the Minister, expansion, modernization and up-gradation of Major Ports in the country is an ongoing process to keep the ports abreast with new technologies and also to promote trade and cargo. The statement also said that 62 PPP Projects with an investment of Rs.49049 crore are under implementation and operation. For the year 2016-17, 33 projects with an investment of Rs.9845 crore have been taken up, said the statement.

Shri Nathwani wanted to know about the amount Government proposes to invest for modernization and upgradation of ports, islands and fish harbours in the country, the number of major ports proposed to be developed during the next three years and the new sites identified by Government to be converted into ports; and the Government’s proposal to set up coastal/special economic zones in Gujarat.

According to the statement of the minister, six potential port locations have been identified, namely- Vadhavan(Maharashtra), Sagar Island(West Bengal), Paradip Outer Harbour (Odisha), Enayam(Tamil Nadu, Sirkazhi(Tamil Nadu) and Belekeri(Karnataka).

The minister also stated that Port Master Plans for 12 major ports have been prepared keeping in view the requirements for cargo handling till 2035. A total of 142 Port Modernization projects have been identified in the Master Plans. These identified projects will be taken up for implementation in phases, he said.

According to the statement, 9 Fishing Harbour projects of total cost of Rs.627 crore have also been identified for implementation in convergence mode with Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairies and Fisheries. An amount of Rs.50 crore has been earmarked during 2016-17 for development of landing facilities and jetties in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and navigational facilities in Lakshadweep group of Islands, said the statement.

DeshGujarat