Government Launches Sagarmala 2.0 to Strengthen Maritime Infra

21 Mar 2025 CW Team

The Ministry is currently implementing 839 projects worth Rs 5.79 trillion under Sagarmala, with 272 projects completed at an investment of Rs 1.41 trillion. Among these, 234 port modernization projects worth Rs 2.91 trillion are underway, with 103 projects completed, adding 230 MTPA capacity. Additionally, 279 connectivity projects worth Rs 2.06 trillion have been taken up, with 92 completed, improving 1,500 km of port connectivity. Coastal community development and inland waterway projects worth Rs 260 billion have benefited over 30,000 fishermen.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, stated that Sagarmala has been instrumental in transforming India’s maritime sector. Under Sagarmala 2.0, the focus will be on bridging infrastructure gaps, boosting investments, and positioning India as a global maritime leader in line with the vision of a Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047. The new phase includes a stronger emphasis on shipbuilding, repair, recycling, and green shipping, backed by Rs 400 billion in budgetary support, with a goal of attracting Rs 12 trillion in investments over the next decade.

Sagarmala has already improved India’s logistics efficiency, with coastal shipping growing 118% in a decade, Ro-Pax ferries transporting over 40 lakh passengers, and inland waterway cargo increasing by 700%. Nine Indian ports now rank among the world’s top 100, with Vizag among the top 20 container ports.

A key highlight of the NSAC meeting was the launch of the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2), aimed at fostering research, innovation, startups, and entrepreneurship (RISE) in maritime logistics, shipbuilding, green shipping, and coastal infrastructure. This initiative will provide funding, mentorship, and industry partnerships to accelerate maritime sector advancements.

The meeting, chaired by Shri Sonowal, was attended by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery, and representatives from coastal states and Union Territories. The discussion centered on policy directions for Sagarmala’s next phase, which aims to enhance port efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and promote coastal economic zones.

The government also reaffirmed its commitment to the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV), which aims to position India among the top five shipbuilding nations, expand port handling capacity to 10 billion metric tons annually, and drive long-term growth in the maritime sector.

With the successful conclusion of the 4th NSAC meeting, India is set to further modernize its maritime infrastructure, enhance global competitiveness, and strengthen its position as a key player in the global shipping and logistics industry.

(PIB)

The 4th National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) meeting reviewed key projects under the Sagarmala Programme, the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW). The meeting focused on port-led development and strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure. The Ministry is currently implementing 839 projects worth Rs 5.79 trillion under Sagarmala, with 272 projects completed at an investment of Rs 1.41 trillion. Among these, 234 port modernization projects worth Rs 2.91 trillion are underway, with 103 projects completed, adding 230 MTPA capacity. Additionally, 279 connectivity projects worth Rs 2.06 trillion have been taken up, with 92 completed, improving 1,500 km of port connectivity. Coastal community development and inland waterway projects worth Rs 260 billion have benefited over 30,000 fishermen. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, stated that Sagarmala has been instrumental in transforming India’s maritime sector. Under Sagarmala 2.0, the focus will be on bridging infrastructure gaps, boosting investments, and positioning India as a global maritime leader in line with the vision of a Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047. The new phase includes a stronger emphasis on shipbuilding, repair, recycling, and green shipping, backed by Rs 400 billion in budgetary support, with a goal of attracting Rs 12 trillion in investments over the next decade. Sagarmala has already improved India’s logistics efficiency, with coastal shipping growing 118% in a decade, Ro-Pax ferries transporting over 40 lakh passengers, and inland waterway cargo increasing by 700%. Nine Indian ports now rank among the world’s top 100, with Vizag among the top 20 container ports. A key highlight of the NSAC meeting was the launch of the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2), aimed at fostering research, innovation, startups, and entrepreneurship (RISE) in maritime logistics, shipbuilding, green shipping, and coastal infrastructure. This initiative will provide funding, mentorship, and industry partnerships to accelerate maritime sector advancements. The meeting, chaired by Shri Sonowal, was attended by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery, and representatives from coastal states and Union Territories. The discussion centered on policy directions for Sagarmala’s next phase, which aims to enhance port efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and promote coastal economic zones. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV), which aims to position India among the top five shipbuilding nations, expand port handling capacity to 10 billion metric tons annually, and drive long-term growth in the maritime sector. With the successful conclusion of the 4th NSAC meeting, India is set to further modernize its maritime infrastructure, enhance global competitiveness, and strengthen its position as a key player in the global shipping and logistics industry. (PIB)

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

Real Estate

29 Jul 2026

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Equipment

29 Jul 2026

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..