The government will set up India Ports Services Ltd, an apex company to provide end-to-end services to state-owned ports.
The planned company will have a commercial role and coordinate with all the state-owned ports for transporting cargo on local routes by eliminating port-level differences and shipping issues, an official privy to the matter said.
For instance, it will coordinate with Paradip Port Authority and VO Chidambaranar Port Authority for moving coal originating from Odisha and destined for Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.
“It will have a single agenda and not be port specific,” the official said.
The proposed India Ports Services will also act as an entry level officer’s cadre for state-owned ports on the lines of IAS, IRS and IPS and the employees, recruited through a Common Entrance Test (CET), will be sent to ports on deputation, the official said.
Currently, the Indian Ports Association (IPA), an agency controlled by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, oversees administrative matters relating to major ports.
The government currently owns 12 ports (referred to as major ports) while the 13th one is being planned at Vadhvan in Maharashtra.
(source: ET Infra)