Lack of comprehensive plans might leave Indian ports less productive

Professional experts connected with the shipping industry and ports feel concerned that the absence of any integrated plans to develop an active network of Inland Container Depots and Container Freight Stations will hamper the growth of the Indian ports and in no way help solving the existing problems such as congestion and cargo evacuation in and out of the terminals. Whatever CFSs we have operating or under implementation, they are crowded on the western coast with the exception of Chennai Port on the east coast. The only way to turn the Indian ports more efficient is to develop the port-related physical infrastructure. So far the development of the logistics related to the ports has been largely the contribution by the private players who naturally set up structures to promote their interests. Mumbai logistics personnel are said to have observed: “It is for the Government to make the facilities spread out evenly across the country, even to unrepresented regions by offering developers some incentives.” Since the container traffic is expected to grow three times by 2016-17, which will certainly have some impact on the national economy, it is high time that the Government start planning and implementing the plans to develop Indian  ports.

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