NEW DELHI : The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal recently informed the  Parliament that, infrastructure development in the Port Sector is a continuous process. The process inter-alia involves the construction of new berths and terminals, mechanization of existing berths and terminals, capital dredging for deepening drafts for attracting large vessels in port channels, development of road and rail connectivity etc., help in increasing the capacity of Major Ports. As a result, the cargo handling capacity of the Major Ports has been steadily going up. The cargo handling capacity of Major Ports as on 31.03.2023 is 1617 MTPA, which is sufficient to handle the existing cargo traffic at the Major ports.

Under PM Gati Shakti, DPIIT prepared a Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan (CPCP) in consultation with Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and State Maritime Boards in September, 2022.  CPCP incorporates 298 connectivity projects of which 191 projects (101 road and 90 rail).  These projects are aimed at enhancing last mile and hinterland connectivity of ports, which in turn will enhance the port efficiency, enabling the ports to handle more cargo. 

These road and rail infrastructure gap projects are primarily undertaken by the Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways on a priority.