VISAKHAPATNAM: Rather than an increase in the number of new ports, the Indian port sector requires proper connectivity, particularly with roads and inland waters, to grow further. Even as the Indian maritime agenda 2010-2020 envisages an increase in the port capacity to more than three billion tonnes per annum, there is huge requirement for dredging in the country, Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) chairman and managing director DK Mohanty has observed.
Delivering a CEO lecture at GITAM School of International Business on the varisty premises here Saturday, Mohanty said that about 30 per cent cargo is handled in Europe through inland water transport, but India is yet to properly plan its water trade.
“Cargo handling is playing a key role in the present day world and big ships along with larger berths are planned in several countries to increase the cargo handling.” Explaining the importance of dredging activity to create initial depth for new harbors, he informed that at the end of 12th plan period, the DCI’s capacity will increase to 80 MCuM per annum, enabling the corporation to take up at least 805 of the maintenance dredging works in Indian ports.
There was a great need to nourish the beaches regularly to control beach erosion and DCI is pumping 2 lakh cubic meter sand every year towards the same, he said.
GITAM School of International Business director VK Kumar said that the institution was planning to start new programmes like strategic business management in collaboration with the IBM.
Gitam Convocation on Sept 13
The fifth convocation of GITAM University will be held on September 13. According to University registrar M Potharaju, candidates who have successfully completed their programmes during the academic year 2013-14 are eligible to apply and receive their degrees and diplomas either in-person or in-absentia at the fifth convocation. Filled-in application forms along with the prescribed fee should reach ‘the Controller of Examinations, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam’ on or before Aug 16. Candidates eligible for the award of medals and ranks at the convocation will be intimated individually. For details, visit www.gitam.edu