415 projects at Rs 8 lakh crore identified under Sagarmala Programme

Under the Sagarmala Programme, 415 projects, at an estimated investment of approximately Rs 8 lakh crore, have been identified across port modernisation and new port development, port connectivity enhancement, port-linked industrialisation and coastal community development for phase-wise implementation over the period 2015 to 2035. As per the approved implementation plan of Sagarmala Programme, these projects are to be taken up by the relevant Central Ministries or agencies and state governments preferably through private or PPP mode.\According to the Ministry of Shipping, as part of the Sagarmala Programme, six new port locations have been identified – Vadhavan, Enayam, Sagar Island, Paradip Outer Harbour, Sirkazhi and Belekeri. Here is a current status of each of the proposed new port locations: Increasing the share of coastal shipping and inland navigation in the transport modal mix is one of the key objectives of the Sagarmala Programme. In order to equip ports for movement of coastal cargo, the scope of coastal berth scheme has been expanded and merged with Sagarmala Programme. Under the scheme, the financial assistance of 50 per cent of project cost is provided to major ports or state governments for construction of coastal berths, breakwater, mechanisation of coastal berths and capital dredging. Rs 152 crore has been released for 16 projects under this scheme. In addition, Cabotage has been relaxed for a period of five years for specialised vessels like RO-RO, RO-PAX, etc.   To augment transhipment capacity in the country, Vizhinjam (Kerala) and Enayam (Tamil Nadu) are being developed as transhipment ports. Vizhinjam is being developed as transhipment hub under PPP mode by Government of Kerala with Viability Gap Funding from the Government of India. In-principle approval has been obtained for setting up a major port at Enayam and its DPR is under preparation.