Parliament Question: Stagnation of Kochi Harbour Development Project

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2113 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2026 STAGNATION OF KOCHI HARBOUR DEVEOPMENT PROJECT 2113. SHRI HIBI EDEN: Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: प(cid:419)न, पोत प(cid:464)रवहन और जलमाग (cid:91) म(cid:287)ं ी (a) the specific reasons behind the non-utilisation of funds allocated for the Kochi Harbour Development Project and the measures being taken to ensure effective utilisation of the sanctioned funds and expedite the implementation of the project; (b) whether the Port Trust authorities have encountered any unforeseen challenges in executing the Kochi Harbour Development Project and if so, the steps being taken to address these challenges within the established regulatory framework, if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether the Government is considering a comprehensive review or audit of the funds allocated for the Kochi Harbour Development Project to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of the earmarked funds, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL) (a) to (b) Cochin Port Authority (CoPA) is the implementing agency for the project ‘Modernization and up-gradation of Cochin Fishing Harbour’. Government of India has sanctioned funds of ₹100 crore for the project i.e. ₹50 crore each under Sagarmala scheme of Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana scheme of Department of Fisheries. The CoPA has informed that there was an initial delay in handing over the site to the contractor since the project site is within an operational fishing harbour. The matter was resolved by dividing the work in two phases to avoid any hindrance to routine functioning of the harbour. The CoPA has already utilized ₹83.80 crore out of total release of funds of ₹ 97.5 crore by Government of India. The current physical progress of the project is 71.50%. (c) The projects funded under Sagarmala scheme are reviewed at regular intervals and 3rd party audit is conducted before closure of the project to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of the funds. *****