Centre Aims for 10x Expansion in Domestically Flagged Ships

05 Mar 2024 CW Team

The Indian government has unveiled ambitious plans to achieve a tenfold expansion in the number of domestically flagged ships. This strategic initiative underscores a significant push to enhance indigenous shipping capabilities, promoting self-reliance and bolstering the country's maritime sector.

The expansion plan aligns with the government's vision to strengthen India's presence in the global shipping industry and reduce dependency on foreign-flagged vessels. The move is expected to have far-reaching implications, not only in terms of economic growth but also in reinforcing national security and maritime interests.

By aiming for a tenfold increase in domestically flagged ships, the government seeks to create a robust and competitive shipping industry. This initiative is likely to encourage investments, stimulate job creation, and foster technological advancements in shipbuilding and related maritime sectors.

The focus on expanding the fleet of domestically flagged ships is part of a broader strategy to tap into the potential of India's vast coastline and maritime resources. It reflects a forward-looking approach to harnessing the country's maritime strengths, promoting trade, and ensuring a secure and self-reliant maritime ecosystem.

As the government charts a course for a substantial increase in domestically flagged ships, the maritime sector is poised for transformative growth. This ambitious plan positions India to emerge as a key player in the global shipping arena, enhancing its maritime influence and contributing to the overall economic resilience of the nation.

Infrastructure Transport

12 Mar 2026

Kavach 4.0 Commissioned on Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah

"Kavach version four has been commissioned on 1,452 route km, covering the high density Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah corridors. The rollout included laying 8,570 km of optical fibre, installation of 1,100 telecom towers, deployment of trackside equipment over 6,776 RKm and establishment of 767 station data centres. Trackside implementation has been taken up on 24,427 RKm covering Golden Quadrilateral, Golden Diagonal and High Density Network sections. The programme aims to strengthen signalling and train protection on key routes.Kavach is an indigenously developed automatic train protecti..

Railways Advance Kalyan–Murbad Line And Mumbai Capacity Expansion

"Indian Railways is advancing multiple rail infrastructure projects in Maharashtra, including the sanctioned Kalyan–Murbad new line and sizable investments under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project. The Kalyan–Murbad 28 km new line has been sanctioned at Rs 8.36 billion (bn) on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis with the Government of Maharashtra and has been declared a Special Railway Project for land acquisition; proposals covering 214 hectares are at various stages of acquisition. Budgetary outlay for projects falling fully or partly in Maharash..

Parliamentary Panel Flags Funding Gaps in Heavy Industries

"The Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry (Rajya Sabha) presented its 332nd report on the Demands for Grants 2026-27 of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). Figures converted from crore and lakh are expressed in million (mn). The Budget Estimates 2026-27 for the Ministry stand at Rs 79,399 mn against a projected requirement of Rs 94,843.2 mn, a shortfall of about 16 per cent, with revenue at Rs 79,370.8 mn and capital compressed to Rs 28.2 mn from Rs 5,020 mn.The committee flagged recurring BE-to-RE compression and declining revised estimate utilisation, and calle..