The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is actively driving India’s port-led development agenda through its flagship Sagarmala Programme, a strategic initiative to modernise coastal infrastructure and enhance maritime trade efficiency.
As part of this initiative, the ministry has so far undertaken 119 projects across various coastal states and union territories, with a cumulative investment of Rs 9,406 crore. This was disclosed in Parliament on Friday (March 28) by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
“These projects, spread across India’s coastline, focus on strengthening port connectivity, promoting sustainable transport options such as Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) and Ro-Pax ferry services, and developing essential infrastructure to support economic activities including fishing harbours and coastal tourism,” Sonowal stated.
The Sagarmala Programme, approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2015, is a comprehensive framework designed to boost India’s maritime sector through port-led development. By leveraging India’s extensive 7,500 km coastline and 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways, the initiative aims to reduce logistics costs for domestic and international trade by promoting coastal and inland waterways as viable alternatives to overland transport.
The government envisions a more efficient and cost-effective cargo movement system by minimising reliance on road and rail transport, ultimately enhancing India’s global trade competitiveness.
The programme is structured around five key pillars to ensure holistic development:
Port Modernisation and New Port Development: Strengthening and upgrading existing ports while developing new ones to handle increasing trade volumes.
Port Connectivity Enhancement: Improving multimodal connectivity through road, rail, and inland waterways to facilitate seamless cargo movement.
Port-Led Industrialisation: Establishing industrial clusters around ports to enhance manufacturing, exports, and economic growth.
Coastal Community Development: Supporting initiatives for coastal communities, including skill development, fisheries enhancement, and socio-economic upliftment.
Coastal Shipping and Inland Water Transport: Encouraging the use of waterways for freight movement to decongest road and rail networks.
With these strategic interventions, the government aims to position India as a leading maritime hub, driving economic growth through sustainable and efficient port infrastructure. The continued expansion of the Sagarmala Programme is expected to strengthen India’s supply chains, reduce transportation costs, and unlock new trade opportunities in the coming years.
