In October 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) launched 8 development projects of New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) during the Curtain Raiser Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee (50 years) Celebrations of NMPA held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.
- These new development projects aimed to boost India’s port infrastructure, logistics efficiency, and sustainability.
Exam Hints:
- What? Launch of 8 development projects of NMPA
- Launched by: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, MoPSW
- Purpose: To celebrate the 50 years of NMPA
- Launched Where? Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (Delhi)
- Projects launched: 150-bed multi-specialty hospital (Rs 107 crore); expansion of truck parking terminal (Customs House), with daily capacity of 50-80 trucks; construction of two covered storage sheds (14,000 Metric Tons (MT) capacity, pre-engineered design); among others
- Other Key Launch: Commemorative postal stamp; Rs 50 Commemorative coin, and the official Golden Jubilee Anthem of NMPA
Key Highlights:
8 New Projects Launched: The projects launched under NMPA include: construction of two covered storage sheds (14,000 Metric Tons (MT) capacity, pre-engineered design);
- Construction of a dedicated cruise gate for international tourists;
- Modification of KK Gate entrance and exit with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-enabled cargo handling, customs, and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) facilities;
- Truck Parking Terminal (Customs House) has expanded with daily capacity of 50-80 trucks;
- Construction of 675 meters (m)-long PQC roads, with drainage facilities at MDL Yard;
- A truck parking terminal, spanning 20, 000 square meters (sq. m) of area, developed at Baikampady, Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka. The new terminal has capacity for 180-200 trucks
- The establishment of 150-bed multi-specialty hospital which is developed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode with an investment of Rs 107 crore;
- A dedicated medical application (app) for beneficiaries was also launched at the event.
Launch of commemorative coin and stamp: In addition to these projects, the Union Minister launched a commemorative postal stamp, a Rs 50 commemorative coin, and the official Golden Jubilee Anthem of NMPA to commemorate 50 years of NMPA’s contribution to India’s maritime trade and regional growth.
Key Progress Made by Indian Ports:
Cargo Handling Capacity: The cargo handling capacity of New Mangalore Port, India’s 9th major port, reached 46.01 million tonnes in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), with a total annual capacity of 104 million tonnes.
Sustainable Ports: He further highlighted initiatives such as: ‘Harit Sagar Guidelines’, ‘Green Tug Transition Programme’, ‘Harit Nauka Scheme’, among others, are driving India’s toward a clean-fuel, electric-vessel, and green maritime ecosystem.
MAKV 2047: It is aligned with the principles of the Blue Economy, outlines a long-term strategy to bolster India’s maritime capabilities, with planned investments of Rs 80 lakh crore projected to generate millions of jobs through the Sagarmala programme.
Current Status of Sagarmala Programme: Under this programme, 840 projects worth Rs 5.8 lakh crore are scheduled to be implemented by 2035.
- Among these, 272 projects worth Rs 1.41 lakh crore have already been completed; and 217 projects worth Rs 1.65 lakh crore are currently in progress.
About New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA):
Chairperson- Dr. Venkata Ramana Akkaraju
Headquarters- Panambur, Mangalore, Karnataka
Established- 1975
