The Union ministry of shipping is in a time warp. Its data and definitions are anachronistic. It continues to describe all the ports owned by the Union government as major ports, and all those owned by the state governments as minor ports (though nowadays it refers to them as “non-major” ports). This made sense when all major investments were decided by the Centre, but not any more.
States are gradually beginning to generate and invite more investments and hence business than even the Centre.
Also See Classifying Major And Minor Ports (
Graphic)
The share of “minor” ports has increased from a meagre 19% in 1999-2000 to more than 26% in 2006-07. Last year, it was estimated to have further risen to about 30% but precise data is not available. This is because both the shipping ministry and the Indian Ports Association (IPA) provide data only for major ports, and not “minor” ones. And one thought that the ministry was concerned with the entire country, not just Union government’s investments!
Investments (as per the documents compiled by the Planning Commission for the 11th Plan) by “minor” ports are likely to be 36% of the total pie, even if one takes into account all the private investments (66%) planned in the “major” ports.
Then pencil in actual performance figures that are not easy to come by—because neither the ministry of shipping nor the IPA appears keen on providing data for “minor” ports, and the little data provided is presented in such a manner that comparison between ports becomes extremely difficult. For instance, instead of giving data for non-major ports, as the title on its website suggests, the IPA gives aggregated data for all ports in each state. This can be quite misleading.
But some indications are available. Last year, the Mundra Port handled 30 million tonnes (mt) of cargo. Reliance Industries Ltd’s captive port at Sikka near Jamnagar handled 55mt, and with its second refinery going on stream, will handle about 100mt a year. Compare these with the throughput at major ports. It is absurd, therefore, to continue calling them major ports.
What also needs to be noted is while the major ports have notched up their figures after being in existence for at least 10 years, the emerging ports have achieved this in less than five years.
Many of the new non-major ports are yet to commence operations.
Clearly, this is no way to run a ministry. After all, without proper comparison, policymaking can become that much more difficult, and proper analysis that much more complex.
How many ports?