Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Curtain Raiser Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) at Bharat Mandapam. To commemorate the milestone, he unveiled eight major maritime infrastructure projects designed to strengthen India’s port network, enhance logistics performance, and promote sustainability. These include a modern cruise terminal, new covered storage facilities, a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital, expanded truck terminals, and improved port access infrastructure aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and user convenience. The minister also released a commemorative postal stamp, a special coin, and the official Golden Jubilee Anthem of NMPA, honouring five decades of the port’s contribution to India’s maritime trade and regional economic growth. Highlighting NMPA’s journey, Shri Sonowal noted that since its establishment in 1975 as India’s ninth major port, New Mangalore Port has evolved into a vital gateway for regional importers and exporters. “From handling only a few thousand tonnes of cargo in its early years, the port now handles 46.01 million tonnes annually, with a total capacity of 104 million tonnes per annum. A new deep-draft general cargo berth is also under construction and will soon begin operations,” he said. Looking ahead to India’s long-term economic ambitions, he emphasised that ports would play a crucial role in achieving the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and a $30 trillion economy. “To build a developed and self-reliant India, we must also become a Viksit Atmanirbhar Maritime Nation by 2047,” he added. Underscoring the balance between growth and sustainability, Sonowal praised NMPA’s commitment to green operations. “The economy must not grow at the cost of ecology and environment. The green initiatives of NMPA are commendable, as the port continues to integrate sustainability into its daily operations,” he stated. He also highlighted India’s broader maritime transformation, noting that ports nationwide are being upgraded into smart, sustainable, and technology-driven hubs aligned with global standards. Initiatives such as the Harit Sagar Guidelines, Green Tug Transition Programme, Harit Nauka Scheme, and Green Shipping Corridors are accelerating the move towards clean fuel, electric vessels, and a greener maritime ecosystem. Reflecting on the past decade, the minister said India’s maritime sector has achieved “unprecedented progress” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, aligned with the principles of the Blue Economy, outlines an investment roadmap worth Rs 80 trillion (Rs 80 lakh crore) through the Sagarmala Programme, projected to create millions of jobs. Under Sagarmala, 840 projects valued at Rs 5.8 trillion (Rs 5.8 lakh crore) are being implemented by 2035, of which 272 projects worth Rs 1.41 trillion have been completed, and 217 projects worth Rs 1.65 trillion are currently under execution. The eight new projects launched under NMPA include: Construction of two covered storage sheds (14,000 MT capacity, pre-engineered design) Construction of a dedicated cruise gate for international tourists Modification of KK Gate with RFID-enabled cargo handling, Customs, and CISF facilities Expansion of truck parking terminal (Customs House) with space for 50–80 trucks per day Construction of PQC roads at MDL Yard (675 metres, with drainage) Development of a truck terminal at Baikampady (20,000 sq. m., capacity for 180–200 trucks) Establishment of a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital under PPP mode with an investment of Rs 1.07 billion Launch of a dedicated medical app for beneficiaries The Golden Jubilee of NMPA will be celebrated later this year, marking 50 years of the port’s service to India’s maritime development. The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, including R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary (Ports), and Dr. Venkata Ramana Akkaraju, Chairman, NMPA, along with other dignitaries.