NEW DELHI - Union Minister of Shipping G. K. Vasan officially released the 100 days agenda for the Ministry of Shipping here today.

The main items to be taken up on priority by the Ministry of Shipping are:

In addition to the Public Private Partnership (PPP) project for which concession agreement has been signed today, five more PPP projects are likely to be awarded in 100 days. These include Coal Terminal at Paradip Port, Mormugao Port, Container Terminal at Ennore and Tuticorin and Iron Ore Handling Facility at New Mangalore Port. The total estimated cost of the six projects is Rs. 3319.14 crores and they are expected to add capacity of 31.23 million ton and 1.97 Million TEUs.

Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) will be acquiring three Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs) at an estimated cost of Rs. 1570 crores.

A Committee set up under the chairmanship of ASandFA to give recommendations on revised policy guidelines to enhance port efficiency is likely to submit its report shortly. Its recommendations would be considered further for notification to improve the overall efficiency of the Ports.

It is proposed that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshwadeep would be declared as major ports after seeking Cabinet approval.

Acquisition of ships by the Shipping Corporation of India would be given priority and necessary contracts would be signed with Cochin Shipyard Ltd.

There is a proposal for strengthening of Indian Maritime University. The Government had setup the Central University in Chennai on November 14, 2008 with campuses at Kolkata, Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.

The proposal to set up Indian Maritime Causality Investigation Cell in the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, to ensure systematic improvement in accidents prevention, is under active consideration in the Ministry.

The 2nd Phase of Capital Dredging of National Waterways No.3 on West Coast Canal from Kollam to Kottapuram along with Champakara and Udyogmandal Canal will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 89.74 cr.

The proposal of Financial Restructuring of Hindustan Shipyards Ltd. and transfer of assets of the yard to Ministry of Defence is being examined in the Ministry.

Part Commissioning of Small Ship Division of Cochin Shipyard Ltd. at an estimated cost of Rs.98.63 crores is also envisaged during the first 100 days.

Acquisition of one 400 Passenger Ship for Lakshwadweep Administration and one 500 Passenger Ship for Andaman and Nicobar Administration will be pursued by the Ministry. (ANI)