Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has compiled the draft guidelines for technical specifications of floating structures, with a vision to set up and deploy world-class floating infrastructure all along the coastline and issued the same for public consultation.
Floating structure because of its inherent advantages, is attractive solution and being encouraged by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The benefits of floating jetties over the conventional quay and fixed concrete structures are as follows:
- It is a cost-effective solution and much cheaper than conventional structures price.
- Setting up of floating structures is much faster as compared to conventional jetties. Usually, floating structures can be built in 6-8 months as compared to 24 months for conventional structures.
- Its environmental impact is minimal.
- Expansions are easily feasible due to modular construction techniques.
- It is easily transportable in case of reconfiguring of the port.
- It provides constant freeboard between jetties and boats.
Deployment of floating jetties, especially in locations having a large tidal range, where conventional quay poses problems during low tide periods, is very convenient. Floating Jetties, at such locations, provide constant freeboard, eases embarkation of ship’s stores and straightforward unloading of the fishermen’s catch. It consequently leads to increased productivity as well as safety of the fishermen in the long run.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has successfully implemented a few pilot projects in the recent past by following the international guiding principles. These include setting up of passenger floating jetties in Goa, water-aerodromes at Sabarmati River & at Sardar Sarovar Dam (for the seaplane services) which are yielding the best results. More than 80 similar projects of the Ministry are under planning stage all along the coastline for overall development and upliftment of the coastal community.
A benchmark and standard specifications at par with international standards are being evolved by the Ministry so that technical specifications of floating structures are frozen after due deliberations with various stakeholders. For this, Ministry has entrusted IIT Chennai to work out the technical specifications of sustainable floating structures like floating jetties, water-aerodromes, floating marinas, fish landing facilities etc. so that precise and stringent technical specifications are established.
The draft guidelines along with proposed Specifications / Schedule of Technical Requirements (SOTR) are issued for seeking the feedback and suggestions from the public. The draft guidelines can be accessed on the link: http://shipmin.gov.in/sites/default/files/proforma_guidelines.pdf for which suggestions can be e-mailed to sagar.mala@nic.in by 11.12.2020.
It has been a priority of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s government to enhance transparency in the governance. The issuing of draft guidelines and seeking public feedback is a progressive step in the same direction, which will benefit and prove a milestone for the upliftment of the coastal community in the long run.
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YB/JK