India Will Have 2 New Ports by 2020

India’s shipping minister G K Vasan has committed to two new ports, one in West Bengal and another in Andhra Pradesh, by 2020, reports Daily Shipping Times. 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the ports in May last year, and since then plans have been fast-tracked.

Currently, there are 12 major ports in India: Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Kolkata (with Haldia), Chennai, Visakhapatanam, Cochin, Paradip, New Mangalore, Marmagao, Ennore, Tuticorin and Kandla. These ports handle 75 per cent of the total cargo traffic in the country. 

ICRA research services reports that the ministry had set a target to approve 30 projects in FY 2013-14 to add a total of 284 million tonne capacity.

Plans have also been approved to develop five new cargo terminals, including four major container facilities, at various ports as part of the country’s $110 billion port growth program.