Indianmandarins has reliably learnt that the Union Cabinet may soon give in-principle approval to the divestment of its 74% stake in Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) with the management control going over to the private purchaser. Union Cabinet may also give its nod to the divestment of IMPCL & KAPCL. However, there is also an opinion in the government that instead of selling off DCI shares, the company could be empowered and entrusted the huge dredging responsibility for the SagarMala and national waterways projects. The company's continued existence as a PSU would also ensure fair and stiff competition in dredging contracts under the SagarMala and National Waterways projects. It is estimated that DCI disinvestment could fetch the Centre about Rs 1,400 crore at current market prices. DCI is estimated to fetch the Union Govt approx 1350 crore at current market prices. DCI is engaged in providing maintenance & capital dredging services to major ports. In FY 2016-17 DCI reported total income of Rs 600 crs, a net profit of Rs 7.4 crs and net worth of Rs 1,518 crs in. DCI's performance has been steadily improving and the company has targeted at cornering 80 percent of the market by 2020. DCI is involved in a spectrum of critically important job like beach nourishment, land reclamation, shallow water dredging, Marine construction, and maintenance dredging, capital dredging and Project Management consultancy. It provides integrated dredging and related marine services for promoting the national and international maritime trade, beach nourishment, reclamation, inland dredging, and environmental protection and to become a global player in the field of dredging.