Draft Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002) Andhra Pradesh Volume - II (Sectoral Programmes) Transport

Abstract

Ports are the gateways for the export and import needs of the Country and therefore play a vital role in the Country’s economy. Liberalisation of Government policies on foreign trade and domestic industry leading to a quantum jump in India's foreign trade, besides serving the export/import needs of the respective hinterland/region, the development of Ports would help in reducing the heavy pressure on the road and rail transport, thereby reducing the consumption of fuel resulting in improvement of economy of the Nation; avoid traffic congestion and population load in cities to maximum extent; avoid pollution and environmental problems; benefit the weaker sections in providing employment to a large number of people at a relatively small capital investment as the port operations are mainly labour oriented. Maritime transport has thus assumed priority.