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The SagarmalaProgramme, launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) in 2015, aims to revolutionize India’s maritime sector by focusing on port-led development, logistics optimization, and coastal economic growth. With a 7,500 km coastline and strategic positioning on global trade routes, India is set to leverage its maritime potential for sustainable economic development.

Key Components of the SagarmalaProgramme

• Port Modernization & New Port Development: Upgrading existing ports and constructing new ones to enhance operational capacity, reduce bottlenecks, and improve efficiency.
• Port Connectivity Enhancement: Fostering seamless multi-modal logistics, including inland waterways and coastal shipping, to optimize time and cost of cargo transportation.
• Port-Led Industrialization: Establishing industrial clusters near ports, boosting economic growth while minimizing logistics costs.
• Coastal Community Development: Focusing on the sustainable development of coastal communities, through skill development, livelihood generation, and fisheries enhancement.
• Coastal Shipping & Inland Waterways Transport: Promoting eco-friendly cargo transportation via coastal and inland waterways to alleviate road and rail congestion.

Key Achievements and Outcomes

• Project Implementation: 839 projects worth ?5.79 lakh crore have been identified, with 272 projects already completed, amounting to ?1.41 lakh crore in investments.
• Growth in Coastal Shipping: Coastal shipping has surged by 118% over the last decade, significantly reducing logistics costs and emissions.
• Increased Inland Waterway Cargo: A 700% increase in inland waterway cargo, reducing congestion on roadways and railways.
• Improved Global Maritime Standing: Nine Indian ports now rank among the world’s top 100, with Vizag among the top 20 container ports globally.

Sagarmala 2.0 and Strategic Initiatives

• Sagarmala 2.0, launched with a ?40,000 crore budgetary support, aims to position India among the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.
• It introduces a focus on shipbuilding, repair, recycling, and further port modernization, which will help India become a global maritime hub.
• The initiative targets a shipbuilding capacity of 4 million GRT and an annual port handling capacity of 10 billion metric tons.
• Additionally, the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2), launched in March 2025, seeks to promote innovation, research, and startups in the maritime sector.
• The program emphasizes green shipping, smart ports, and sustainable coastal development, providing funding, mentorship, and industry partnerships to boost technological advancement in the sector.

Funding and Project Implementation

• The SagarmalaProgramme follows a strategic and stakeholder-driven approach, involving central ministries, state governments, major ports, and other agencies.
• The funding structure utilizes a combination of public-private partnerships (PPP), internal resources of MoPSW agencies, and grant-in-aid for high-social-impact projects.
• The establishment of the Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL) facilitates equity participation in key projects.

Future Outlook and Alignment with Vision 2047

Sagarmala 2.0 and its strategic initiatives are aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV), which aims to make India a leader in global maritime affairs. By enhancing port efficiency, expanding shipbuilding capacity, and fostering innovation, these initiatives will support India's vision of a Viksit Bharat (developed India) and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) by 2047.