PTI reported that half way through the 11th Five Year Plan, the capacity at the 12 major ports has increased by just 51 million tonne against the target of 500 million tonne by 2012. Although the government had set an ambitious target of doubling the capacity of the 12 major ports to 1 billion tonne by 2012 in the 11th Five year Plan, it has barely reached about 555 million tonne.

In investment terms, the government has completed projects worth barely INR 4,529 crore so far out of the INR 55,000 crore for the Five-Year period.

During the rest of the Plan period, the government will have to add 90% of the targeted capacity.

Shipping ministry official said "We have completed 43 projects worth INR 4,529 crore for enhancing capacity. The capacity at the start of the 11th plan in 2007 was 504 million tonne, which has gone up to about 555 million tonne now. There are a total of 276 projects to be completed during the Plan. 6 to 8 projects worth INR 16,012 crore are under way."

(Sourced from Press Trust of India)