Charting the Course: India's Sagarmala Initiative for Maritime Transformation
Sagarmala Project Sagarmala is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) to promote port-led development in India. It aims to harness India's 7,517 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways, and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes. The main vision is to reduce logistics costs for EXIM and domestic trade with minimal infrastructure investment. Objectives and Implementation The Sagarmala program was launched on 25th March 2015 with the following key objectives: Port modernization & new port development Port connectivity enhancement Port-led industrialization Coastal community development Coastal shipping & IWT The program follows a stepped approach, initially focusing on implementing maritime projects through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode wherever feasible. Projects with high socio-economic benefits but low financial returns are being implemen...