India will have its first Maritime University in Chennai, aimed at promoting maritime studies, research and achieving excellence in areas of marine science and technology.
A bill to this effect was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
“This is just a beginning, more such institutions need to be set up,” Union Minister for Shipping T R Baalu told the Upper House on the passage of the Indian Maritime University Bill. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on October 21.
Two more bills for declaring water stretches in southern and eastern parts of the country as national waterways were also passed by Rajya Sabha. “This is one of the achievements of the UPA government that neglected areas like that of the waterways have been attended to,” Baalu said.
He also said “the setting up of the university in Chennai has only to do with the availability of land which we could not find elsewhere. This is only the nucleus which is sure to spread,” Baalu said.
“There is a need to set up at least five more such universities in the country. We request setting up of such a university in Kolkata,” CPI(M) member Matilal Sarkar said.
Taking part in the discussion, BJP leader Rudranarayan Pany asked government to give special attention to the state of Orissa regarding development of roads along with waterways. Bal Apte of his party also took part in the discussion.
T Siva (DMK), Ram Chandra Khuntia (Cong), E M Sudarsana Natchiappan (Cong) hailed the government for moving the legislation to establish two National Waterways and a National Maritime University.
