National grid of ports

Government plans to develop a National Grid for Ports based on the synergy between the major and minor ports in the country.

• During the 17th Meeting of Maritime states Development Council (MSDC)—the apex advisory body for the development of the maritime sector—government announced a plan to develop a National Grid for Ports.
• Out of the 204 minor ports in the country, only 44 are functional; the National Grid for Ports (NGP) will connect the major and minor ports.
• Ports have been centres of India’s maritime activity in the past; the objective is to once again revive ports as important centres of sea trade.
• The objective is also to improve infrastructure and to reduce and finally eliminate human interface.
• Ministry of shipping is planning a wider expansion of port capacity across the country.
• The study on NGP will be different than ‘Sagarmala’ study.

How will NGP be developed?

• The plan will be carried through cooperation between the Centre and State.
• The Centre will share findings with the States so that the non-functional minor ports can be developed and made functional.
• Port capacity will be expanded by implementing well-conceived infrastructure development projects.
• A host of measures will be undertaken to cut time and cost, digitization of processes, and to strongly address environment-related concerns.
• Specific cargo linked to the ports and the downstream industry will be identified for the revival of each port.
• Over 100 minor ports in India could be renewed and integrated with major ports in a new system.
• States also run barges along the coastal route. All States will implement a set of common rules to ease movement of barges across the coastal route.
• States will be free to develop it themselves or through public-private partnership ports.
• Government is considering giving deep sea vessels to fishermen.
• There are two layers of port security – one is to scan containers that are handled and second is to track the ships that enter and exit the ports. Government is planning to implement international standards of security in major and non-major ports.

Benefits

• The coastal shipping and inland waterways sector are poised to play a vital role in the development of the country.
• The cost-effective and pollution-free water transport can reduce logistics costs in the country, making Indian goods more competitive in the global markets.
• NGP will help increasing the efficiency of port operations
• Developing connectivity between the major and minor ports can bring port-led development into the country.
• A NGP will ensure that cargo or agricultural produce located near the non-major ports can be shipped to major ports.

Conclusion

Given other seminal initiatives such as the Regional (Air) Connectivity Scheme, national plans for development of transportation & logistics infrastructure and the consequent progress, the proposed national grid of ports is an idea with potential. It, however, needs careful consideration, planning and phased implementation, most importantly through extensive engagement with the trade/stakeholders.