New Delhi: Maritime States, including Odisha, will greatly benefit with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways finalizing and issuing guidelines for floating structures.
Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya stated that his Ministry has set a benchmark and evolved standard specifications in these guidelines at par with international standards.
These platforms have several advantages over the conventional/fixed concrete structures.
It is the endeavour of our Ministry to promote laying up of such world class infrastructure across the country in the upcoming projects to achieve the best results of utilization, durability, safety, low maintenance, cost-effectiveness and above all with minimal ecological impacts.
This step is taken with a vision to set up world-class floating infrastructure all along the coastline, in the upcoming projects as per the provisions contained in the guidelines.
The guidelines set out various technical aspects for implementation of floating jetties, platforms for marinas, minor harbors, fishing harbours, fish landing centers, waterdromes and such other similar facilities in coastal areas, estuaries, waterways, rivers and reservoirs.
These guidelines may also be suitably utilized for floating pontoons/platforms in various waterborne systems and floating wave attenuators (or breakwaters) for Minor Harbors, Fish Landing facilities.
Floating structure because of its inherent advantages is an attractive solution and hence being promoted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The benefits of floating jetties/structures over the conventional quay and fixed concrete structures include its cost-effectiveness, faster implementation, easily expandable and re-locatable; and having minimal environmental impacts.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has successfully implemented few projects including setting up of passenger floating jetties in Goa, water-aerodromes at Sabarmati River & at Sardar Sarovar Dam (for the seaplane services) which are working satisfactorily.
Several projects of the Ministry are under the planning stage for overall development and upliftment of the coastal community.
These guidelines would be helpful for all maritime states, State Maritime Boards, major ports, IWAI and Fisheries Departments of all State governments for their