(a) the number of cargo and passenger ships in the country;
(b) whether these are sufficient to cater the needs of the passengers going abroad and coming in the country and cargo related needs;
(c) if not, whether the Government are manufacturing and purchasing more ships; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SURFACE TRANSPORT ( SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV )
(a) to (d) There are about 426 cargo vessels in Merchant fleet as on 1.7.2000 which includes 12 passenger-cum-cargo and 11 passenger ships. There is no passenger ship going abroad. The passenger ships and passenger-cum-cargo ships are running in the Island Sector. The Andaman & Nicobar Administration and Union Territory of Lakshadweep are purchasing the passenger as well as passenger-cum-cargo vessels as per their requirement. Recently, Union Territory of Lakshadweep have placed order with Hindustan Shipyard Limited for the construction of one 700 passenger-cum-160 MT cargo vessel. The Andaman & Nicobar Administration have also placed orders for the construction of two 400 passenger vessels with Indian Shipyards.