Sarbananda Sonowal: Cargo handling capacity of major ports increases

There has been an increase in the cargo handling capacity of Major Ports from 1560.61 MTPA in 2020-21 to 1597.59 MTPA in 2021-22. The capacity at Non-Major Ports remains the same in the last two years, i.e. 1002.24 MTPA, which is adequate to handle the movement of cargo, given that the capacity utilisation was 59.73% in 2021-22.

Infrastructure development and capacity augmentation of Major Ports is a continuous process. It involves construction of new berths and terminals, mechanization of existing berths and terminals, capital dredging for deepening of drafts for attracting larger vessels, development of road and rail connectivity etc. A number of projects have been awarded in the last five years on upgradation and capacity enhancement of the Major Ports. The details of the funds released / allocated / spent for programmes to increase the cargo handling capacity during the last five years are as under:-