Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), India’s best performing Port, in association with Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) organized a two-day 'Maritime Public-Private Partnership Conclave, 2022' as per the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India to mark the successful 25 years of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The conclave was inaugurated by Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Tourism, Government of India in the presence of Sanjay Sethi, IAS, Chairman, JNPA, Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Dy. Chairman, JNPA, Rajiv Jalota, IAS, Chairman, MbPA, Adesh Titarmare, IAS, Dy. Chairman, MbPA, and other esteemed dignitaries.
The PPP model of development was first introduced in the port sector in the mid-1990s. JNPA entered into the first agreement with the private player with Nhava-Sheva International Container Terminal in 1997. Since then PPP became the preferred mode of development.
Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in his address highlighted how the PPP model has played a vital role in developing India’s port sector. He stated, “As we embark on a new era of economic resurgence, bolstered by port-led development, we look forward to streamlining initiatives to promote private participation. This conclave aims at highlighting major developments towards reshaping PPP measures in the Indian port sector as well as leveraging the immense potential these projects possess in the overall growth prospects of India’s trade. I urge all the maritime stakeholders to bring forward their views on the development of this model and the challenges faced in the sector”
Sanjay Sethi, IAS, Chairman, JNPA, in his address stated, “The PPP model has augmented limited public sector capacities to meet the growing demand for infrastructure development. The infusion of the Public-Private Partnership model in the infrastructural development has enabled us to attain a higher economic growth trajectory. In the 25 years of execution of the Public-Private Partnership model, there has been advancement in functional efficiency, management practices, and capacity addition in the Indian Port sector.”
The conclave witnessed the participation of various stakeholders in panel discussions and sessions conducted on various topics like 25 years of PPP Projects in India – Evolution, and sharing of experience, developing world-class ports, MPA Act & Tariff Dispensation - Issues & Concerns, Future projects in Maritime Sector in Maharashtra, PPP projects - Past and way forward, Overview of NHLML Projects in Maharashtra, Future of PPP Projects in Major and Non-Major Ports in India, and Proposed Marina at Mumbai Port on PPP mode.
