Cochin port's survival hinges on GAIL project: Gadkari.

Kerala should expedite land acquisition for the development of the National Highway corridors and the natural gas pipeline project of GAIL India from Mangaluru to Kochi, Union Minister for Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari has said. Interacting with mediapersons here through videoconferencing from Mumbai on Friday, he said the completion of GAIL India’s natural gas pipeline was essential for the survival of the Cochin port. “If it does not materialise, the Cochin port, which already has losses amounting to Rs.150 crore, will have to be closed down,” Mr. Gadkari warned the State.

The new Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had been requested to develop inland waterways to decongest roads and for facilitating movement of goods at cheaper rates.

“During the term of the previous government in the State, we had mooted a joint venture company for developing inland waterways. But, there has been no response till date from the State,” Mr. Gadkari said.

Compared to the Re.1 needed for covering 1 km through road and rail modes, the cost for transportation through waterways is only 20 paise. The Minister said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways aimed at increasing travel by waterways from the present 6 per cent to at least 15 per cent.

Spelling out the initiatives of his ministry during the past two years, the Union Minister said Rs.25,000 crore investment would be made in the next five years in the road, port and inland waterways sector. This would result in creation of 5 crore jobs in the country. The Sagarmala project mooted for development of port and the coastal areas would attract Rs.12 lakh crore investment and generate 40 lakh jobs directly and 60 lakh jobs indirectly, he said.

THE HINDU