Close on the heels of inking tripartite agreement to build port project in Chabahar in Iran, the Indian government is all set to sign a similar agreement with Bangladesh, which has already expressed its willingness for the project and is currently in talks to explore options available in the country, Shipping Minister said, adding that the recently concluded Chabahar port development agreement is a game changer.
The government aims to make an investment of Rs. 25 lakh-cr in ports and inland waterways and plans to create 50 million jobs along the coastline. Meanwhile, Maharashtra is all set to get Rs. 95,000-cr for port-related projects under the Centre's port and port-led development program.
In the year ended March, among the 12 major ports, Kandla handled the highest cargo of 100.05 million tons. To boost port-led development, the ministry plans to add two ports each in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. A fifth one is being set up in Karnataka at a cost of Rs. 4,200-cr and that site for four new ports is being identified and a search is currently underway, he claimed.
