Sagarmala 2.0 to focus on shipbuilding, repair, and recycling. 839 projects underway to boost port-led growth, says Sonowal.
In a significant step towards advancing India’s maritime infrastructure, the 4th National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) meeting, chaired by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, has unveiled Sagarmala 2.0. The upgraded initiative focuses on shipbuilding, repair, breaking, and recycling, with ₹40,000 crore budgetary support aiming to attract ₹12 lakh crore investments over the next decade.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) is currently executing 839 projects worth ₹5.79 lakh crore under the Sagarmala Programme. Of these, 272 projects worth ₹1.41 lakh crore have already been completed, boosting port handling capacity, connectivity, and the coastal economy.
Key Highlights:
- Port Modernisation: 234 projects worth ₹2.91 lakh crore, with 103 completed, adding 230 MTPA capacity.
- Connectivity Projects: 279 projects worth ₹2.06 lakh crore, with 92 completed, enhancing 1,500 km of port connectivity.
- Coastal Community Development: 310+ projects worth ₹26,000 crore have benefitted over 30,000 fishermen.
- Financial Support: ₹10,000 crore allocated to 119 projects across coastal states and UTs.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Shipping Secretary T.K. Ramachandran joined the discussions on advancing India’s maritime leadership and boosting coastal economic growth.
The launch of the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2) marked a new milestone. S2I2 will empower startups in green shipping, smart ports, and maritime logistics through funding and mentorship, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the sector.
Over the past decade, Sagarmala has driven transformative change, with coastal shipping growing by 118 percent, inland waterway cargo increasing 700 percent, and nine Indian ports ranking among the world’s top 100.
India now aims to rank among the top five shipbuilding nations, adding 4 million GRT of shipbuilding capacity and expanding port handling to 10 billion metric tonnes annually, representing the largest growth in the nation’s maritime history.
With the conclusion of the NSAC meeting, the government has reinforced its commitment to maritime excellence, sustainable coastal growth, and innovation through initiatives like Sagarmala 2.0 and S2I2.
Source: Exim News
