Maritime Infrastructure Expansion Gains Pace Under Sagarmala Programme
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal informed the Rajya Sabha that 315 projects have been completed under the Sagarmala Programme, while 210 projects are currently under implementation and 320 projects are in the planning stage.
The minister said that 120 port modernisation projects completed under the programme have added more than 400 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of port capacity. In addition, 106 road and rail connectivity projects have been completed to improve cargo evacuation efficiency.
These initiatives have significantly boosted water-based freight movement. Coastal shipping cargo has increased to 195 MTPA from 87 MTPA, while inland waterway cargo has risen to 145.50 MTPA from 18.10 MTPA. The shift of freight movement to waterways has also contributed to lower logistics costs, the minister said.
According to the government, the Sagarmala programme is expected to generate around one crore jobs, including 40 lakh direct jobs and 60 lakh indirect jobs, driven by port-led industrialisation and infrastructure development.
Sonowal shared the information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Tags
Related Posts
