No plans to privatise major ports: Sonowal

Vijayawada: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has denied privatisation of any major port and clarified that their focus is on allowing private participation in specific projects through PPP models.

Stating that their focus is on developing and maintaining berths in major ports by the PPP investors, he said the operation of 89 berths at major ports is currently conducted under this model, with the ownership of the land and waterfront remaining with the government. The management of non-major ports falls under the jurisdiction of State Maritime Boards and State Governments.

He told Rajya Sabha in response to a question on operation and privatisation of ports, Sonowal informed that India has 12 major ports under the Central Government’s jurisdiction, none of these major ports have been privatised.