Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, recently highlighted the Ministry’s significant achievements during its first 100 days in office. The press conference emphasized the Ministry’s contributions towards transforming India’s maritime sector, in alignment with Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amritkaal Vision 2047.
Prime Minister’s Vision Driving Maritime Transformation
Sonowal began by acknowledging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, underlining his vision of “Ports for Prosperity and Ports for Progress” as the foundation of India’s maritime transformation. He emphasized that the Prime Minister’s focus on holistic development and the idea of “Transformation through Transportation” are reshaping the country’s maritime landscape. This strategic approach is fostering the development of maritime infrastructure, leading to economic growth and new employment opportunities. Sonowal remarked that waterways are rapidly becoming the new highways of India.
Key Initiatives Under Modi’s Leadership
Elaborating on the Ministry’s progress, Sonowal highlighted various initiatives aimed at enhancing port infrastructure, easing business processes, and promoting sustainability. He proudly mentioned the establishment of Vadhvan Port, the first major port to be developed since Kamarajar Port 25 years ago, as a significant achievement. Additionally, the recent notification of Galathea Bay as a major port was noted as another milestone. Looking ahead, Sonowal projected that container handling capacity would increase to 40 million TEUs within the next five years, generating 2 million jobs, with JNPA (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority) expected to expand from 6.6 million TEUs to 10 million.
Focus on Shipbuilding, Clean Energy, and Employment
The Minister also shed light on the strategic importance of shipbuilding and ship repair. The Ministry is actively developing clusters in states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Gujarat to boost these sectors. Additionally, more than 3,900 acres at Kandla and VOC Port are being allocated for hydrogen manufacturing hubs, positioning India as a future leader in clean energy.
Sagarmanthan: The Great Ocean Conference
Looking towards the future, Sonowal expressed his excitement for the upcoming “Sagarmanthan: The Great Ocean Conference,” which is scheduled to be held in Mumbai this November. The conference will focus on ocean sustainability and advancing the blue economy, further solidifying India’s role in global maritime affairs.
