Current Affairs Question - 16 October 2019

Explanation :

• Mamallapuram, also called Mahabalipuram or Seven Pagodas, is a town that lies along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, 60 km south of Chennai, founded by the Pallava King—Narasimhavarman, also known as Mamalla—for whom the town was named.
• There are several famous temples at Mahabalipuram; Shore Temple and 'Ratha' Cave Temples are the most famous amongst them.
• The Five Rathas, or monolithic temples, are the remnants of seven temples, for which the town was known as Seven Pagodas. The entire assemblage collectively was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Explanation :

• The Gujarat government announced a new port policy that removes restrictions on 32captive jetties operating in Gujarat, and turns them into commercial ports.
• This policy allows ports of any size more than five million metric tonnes, to be set up as a commercial port.
• It allows the existing 32 captive jetties in the state to handle “third-party” cargo without any restrictions.
• The existing 32 captive jetties handle cement, ammonia, sponge iron, crude, coal, gas and over-dimensional (cargo that protrudes beyond the loading deck) cargo, and the operation of RO-RO ferries (which transport cars and other road vehicles).
• Now, the captive jetty owners can now make investments in expansion and modernisation of these jetties. The government has also allowed them to handle cargo belonging to their group companies.

Impact

• The move is expected to boost infrastructure and attract investment in the port and logistics sector.
• The policy paves the way for the state to attract Rs. 4,000 crore fresh investments in the port sector.