(a) whether the Government have formulated any schemes for expansion of port trusts in the country ;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the total expenditure likely to be incurred on these schemes ; and
(c) the likely increase in the Government revenue after expansion of these port trust?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SURFACE TRANSPORT
(DR. DEBENDRA PRADHAN)
(a)&(b): Steps have been taken to create additional capacity in existing major ports under various plan schemes as well as through private sector investment. A new Port at Ennore, 25 Kms. North of Chennai is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 950 crores with assistance from Asian Development Bank with a capacity to handle 16 million tonnes of coal. A total 157 million tonnes of capacity is expected to be added in Major Ports during the 9th Five Year Plan(1997-2002). An investment of Rs 8543 crores has been envisaged for Major Ports during 9th Five Year Plan. In addition, an investment approximately to the tune of Rs 8000 crores is targeted to be raised through private sector participation.
(c) The Government does not earn any revenue from the Port Trusts.