In March 2025, the 4th National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) meeting was held under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi,Delhi to review the progress of key projects under Sagarmala, the flagship programme of the MoPSW.
- During the meeting, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, announced the plan of Sagarmala 2.0, aiming to bridge infrastructure gaps and position India as a global maritime leader.This initiative follows the successful implementation of the original Sagarmala Programme.
- He launched the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S212), a forward-looking program aimed at accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship in the maritime sector.
- This vision aligns with the broader goal of a developed and self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) by 2047.
Key People:
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH); Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of National Institution for Transforming India(NITI) Aayog; Dr.Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister(CM) of Goa, as well as ministerial representation from Gujrat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman & Nicobar islands were attended the meeting.
Highlights of 4th NSAC meeting:
About Sagarmala 1.0:
i.In 2015, the Sagarmala Programme was approved by the Government of India(GoI).
- Five Key Pillars: Port-led industrialization, Port Modernization, Port Connectivity, Coastal Shipping and Inland Waterways and Coastal Community Development.
ii.Port Modernisation: The programme includes 234 port modernisation projects worth Rs.2.91 lakh crore, with 103 projects already completed, adding 230 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) to port capacity.
iii.Connectivity Enhancement: A total of 279 connectivity projects valued at Rs.2.06 lakh crore are underway, with 92 projects completed, enhancing 1,500 kilometer (km) of port links.
iv.Industrialisation and Community Development: The initiative encompasses 14 port-led industrialisation projects worth Rs.55,000 crore, with nine completed.
- Over 310 projects worth Rs.26,000 crore under Coastal Community Development and Inland Waterways have benefited more than 30,000 fishermen and improved coastal infrastructure.
v.The MoPSW 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.
- Additionally, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has allocated Rs.10,000 crore for 119 projects across coastal states and Union Territories under the Sagarmala scheme.
About Sagarmala 2.0:
i.With a budgetary support of Rs.40,000 crore, Sagarmala 2.0 seeks to catalyse investments worth Rs.12 lakh crore over the next decade.
ii.The focus areas include shipbuilding, repair, breaking, and recycling, aiming to expand port handling capacity to 10 billion metric tons annually by 2047.
iii.The initiative is designed to realize the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV 2047), with the goal of making India one of the world’s top five shipbuilding nations adding 4 Million Gross Tonnage (GRT) of shipbuilding capacity and increasing port handling capacity to 10 billion metric tons(MT) per year.
About Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2):
i.Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2) was designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the maritime sector.
- It aims to empower startups focusing on areas such as green shipping, smart ports, maritime logistics, shipbuilding technology, and sustainable coastal development.
ii.The initiative offers funding, mentorship, and industry partnerships to nurture cutting-edge solutions, driving economic growth and technological advancements within the sector.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW):
Union Minister- Sarbananda Sonowal (Constituency- Dibrugarh, Assam) Minister of State (MoS)– Shantanu Thakur (Constituency- Bangaon, West Bengal, WB)
