The first Budget of the new Government and Union Shipping Minister evokes expectations galore as ports are gateways to India’s economic prosperity. The perceptible increase in allocation of Government funds for major port projects must be matched by timely utilization to enable Indian ports to muscle up capacity.

Ensuring optimization of resources and improvement of operating efficiency, shortening turnaround times, service quality and overall competitiveness of existing ports is a key challenge. Port operators are looking to enhance last mile port connectivity; adequate linkages to the hinterland and faster evacuation of cargo for decongestion. 

India needs dedicated freight corridors and these projects should be executed on fast-track. India needs more public private partnership projects for building ports, speedier acquisition of ships and equipments. Public-private partnerships to aggressively promote coastal shipping are vital because of simplicity of execution and environment-friendliness! Ports must offer customers seamless multi-modal transport solutions using outbound and inland freight corridors, which will bring in efficiency and cost savings. Ports should also focus on ‘going green’; should reduce carbon emissions; and be creative in developing environmentally friendly methods of operations.         

The port sector needs more investment-friendly policies to attract private funds to the tune of USD 13.6 billion by 2012, as per Assocham study. It’s time to take a holistic view of port development and interlink the same with the complete road-rail network. Backward integration helps end-to-end supply chain solution. It is also very important to establish PCS Connectivity (Port Communications System) as it increases efficiencies all round and makes Indian ports internationally competitive.

The author Prakash Tulsiani is Managing Director, APM Terminals Pipavav (Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd.)