Somnath, DeshGujarat

Allegations are made that this is Ambani and Adani’s government but look at the figures, while Kandla port has witnessed 2.46% growth, on the other hand Adani port is down by 1.36%. We have increased our efficiency and proved that we can do better than private sector, said Nitin Gadkari, union Shipping minister at Somnath in Gujarat today afternoon.

Gadkari said it has happened for the first time that government run Kanla Port has handled record breaking 100 million tonne cargo.

He said all 12 major ports, Kochin shipyard and Shipping Corporation of India have registered Rs 6,000 crore profit. All ports and companies are making profit and this is the miracle of government led by Shri Narendra Modi.

Gadkari said the government of India is going to spend Rs 12 lakh crore for Sagarmala project to create ports based industrial clusters.

In reference to local fishermen, Gadkari said, “at present upto 12 nautical mile coastal area is under state government while the area beyond that is under central government. Our fishermen can’t venture into the sea beyond 12 nm because their boats are not suitable for that. Under Sagarmala project if a group of fishermen collect Rs 5 lakh, the government will offer subsidy of Rs 15 lakh and also offer Rs 80 lakh loan under Mudra scheme for purchase of trawler. It is dream of our prime minister to avail five time more production to fishermen and make them crorepati under Sagarmala project.

Gadkari said bill has passed in parliament to utilize five rivers in Gujarat including Tapi, Mahi, Sabarmati, Narmada for water ways. He said the government has started works in Ganga. Cost of water transport is much lesser compared to road and rail transport. If we can bring 18% logistic cost down to 12%, the 6% saving will trigger boom in export.

Gadkari said Gujarat is going to witness Rs 500 crore LPG terminal project, Rs 4,155 crore Kandla Port modernization project, Rs 2,000 crore container terminal project, Rs 1,200 crore bulk terminal project, Rs 350 crore mechanization of fertilizer and grain facility project, Rs 45,000 crore port connectivity project, Rs 16,000 crore industrial cluster project and Rs 777 crore community development project.

Gadkari said the ministries under him are going to spend Rs 2 lakh crores in upcoming 3 years in Gujarat.

– DeshGujarat