Odisha govt approves new port policy to attract pvt investment

Subject: Geography

Context-

Details of the policy-

The new policy aims to facilitate private sector investments in the maritime sector and the development of ports and port-related industries.
According to the policy, the Odisha Maritime Board (OMB) will prepare an Odisha maritime perspective plan encompassing the key strengths and challenges in maritime development.
The plan will also study the maritime ecosystem involving ports, hinterland potential, cargo evacuation, port connectivity, environmental enhancement and development of the coastal communities.
The policy also promotes other maritime ventures like coastal shipping, the promotion of marine tourism, the development of multipurpose harbours, the introduction of sea-plane connectivity, promotion of facilities and the creation of infrastructure for shipbuilding, ship breaking and related activities in the state.
Earlier the state had formulated a port policy in 2004.

Ports in Odisha-

With a vast coastline of 480 kilometres, Odisha has three operational ports at Paradip, Dhamra and Gopalpur.
12 potential sites have been identified for the development of non-major ports in different districts and a riverine port on Mahanadi.

Policy for children

The cabinet also approved a policy for children in the state called PRARAMBH.
The policy envisions a blueprint which focuses on children’s right to survival, protection, physical health, including mental health, upholding the right to education, participation and other milestones required to achieve their optimal development.

Major Sea Ports in India

India has 13 major seaports (12 Government-owned and one private) and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports that handle a huge volume of traffic.
About 95 per cent by volume and 70 per cent by value of India’s total international trade are carried on through maritime transportation.
All ports in India are situated in the 9 coastal states of India namely Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Thirteen major ports in the country handle a lot of volume of container and cargo traffic.
On the west coast, there are the ports of Mumbai, Kandla, Mangalore, JNPT, Vadhavan, Mormugao, and Cochin.
On the east coast are the ports at Chennai, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Kolkata, and Ennore.
Ennore is a registered public company with the government owning a 68% stake.
In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, there is Port Blair (a minor port).
Mumbai is the largest natural port in India.
The Indian government has a federal structure, and according to its constitution, maritime transport is to be administered by both the Central and the State governments.
While the central government’s shipping ministry administers the major ports, the minor and intermediate ports are administered by the relevant departments or ministries in the nine coastal states – Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

What is Landlord Port?

In this model, the publicly governed port authority acts as a regulatory body and as a landlord, while private companies carry out port operations—mainly cargo-handling activities.
Here, the port authority maintains ownership of the port while the infrastructure is leased to private firms that provide and maintain their own superstructure and install their own equipment to handle cargo.
In return, the landlord port gets a share of the revenue from the private entity.

Service Port Model?

In service ports, the port authority does the administration and operation of port activities.
The port operation includes providing navigational services, warehouse facilities, cranes, and skilled employees/labourers. the construction of infrastructure, superstructure, and providing employees, becomes the responsibility of the port authority.
Even if the port authority act in the public interest full ownership of the port remains with the state or the government.