Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Mr Nitin Gadkari today expressed the hope that the road transport and shipping sectors would contribute two percent to GDP growth of the country in next two years. Mr Gadkari was briefing the media after he chaired the 16th Maritime states Development Council (MSDC) meeting in Panaji today. The MSDC is the apex advisory body for the development of the Major and Non-Major Ports in the country.<br/> <br/>Mr Gadkari said that his ministry was committed to reducing the traffic burden form roads and promoting water transportation where transportation cost is very cheap in comparison to railways and roads. Mr Gadkari said that all 12 major ports and 7 new ports in the country will be developed and the work on two ports — Sagar in West Bengal and Dahanu in Maharashtra– has already started. The government has so far declared five river stretches as waterways, Mr Gadkari added.<br/><br/>Early today in morning, Mr Gadkari chaired the meeting of Maritime State Development Council (MSDC). It discussed various issues including expediting formation of state Maritime Boards in states which do not have Maritime Boards, Coastal Security and problems of Fisherman. He also released a Vision Document called Vision for Coastal Shipping, Tourism and Regional Development.