(a) whether the Government propose to develop the Jawahar Lal Nehru Port as Mega Port so as to enable it to overcome constraints like low productivity and stacking space;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the matter was also discussed in meeting of Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs;
(d) if so, the reasons for not giving priority to the matter as yet; and
(e) the time by which the final decision to develop the port is likely to be taken ?.
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SURFACE TRANSPORT
(DR.DEBENDRA PRADHAN )
(a) to (e): The Export Promotion Board have recommended development of Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNP) as a Hub port on the West coast. Pre-requisites for becoming a hub- port, inter-alia, are deeper draft channel & harbour, adequate aggregation of cargo, sophisticated cargo handling equipments, sufficient stacking area as well as aggressive marketing to attract mainline vessels. As a step towards this, it has been decided to commission preparation of a detailed project report for deepening of the JNP channel.