From neglect to being powerhouse: Sagarmala 2.0 aims to transform India's maritime future

Backed by Rs 40,000 crore in budgetary support, the Sagarmala 2.0—being billed as a visionary upgrade on the Sagarmala project with a new focus on shipbuilding, repair, breaking, and recycling—aims to catalyse investments worth Rs 12 lakh crore over the next decade.

Sagarmala has been a game-changer in unlocking the true potential of India’s maritime sector, said Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, while speaking at the fourth National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) meet.

The minister claimed that the huge value of the maritime sector, that remained neglected for decades, was realised with Sagarmala and added, "As we move towards Sagarmala 2.0, our focus is on bridging critical infrastructure gaps with fresh investments, driving coastal economic growth, and positioning India as a global maritime leader."

The NSAC meeting decided to boost port-led development and enhance the maritime infrastructure of the country.

During the meeting, the implementation status of key projects under the 'Sagarmala' initiative was reviewed.

The ports ministry is executing 839 projects worth Rs 5.79 lakh crore under the Sagarmala programme, with 272 projects already completed at an investment of RS 1.41 lakh crore.

Under Sagarmala, 234 port modernisation projects worth Rs 2.91 lakh crore are underway, with 103 projects completed, adding 230 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) capacity.

In connectivity, 279 projects worth RS 2.06 lakh crore are being implemented, with 92 projects completed, boosting 1,500 km of port links.

Port-led industrialisation saw 14 projects worth Rs 55,000 crore, with 9 completed.

Over 310 projects worth Rs 26,000 crore under Coastal Community Development and Inland Waterways have benefitted over 30,000 fishermen and coastal infrastructure.

The ministry has also provided Rs 10,000 crore for 119 projects across coastal states and UTs under Sagarmala.

Maritime