Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, presented an extensive update on the maritime sector in today’s Rajya Sabha session. He emphasized the government’s efforts to enhance cargo movement through National Waterways (NWs) and outlined several key initiatives to improve the efficiency of India’s inland waterways.
Minister Shri Sonowal highlighted that 22 Sagarmala projects worth Rs. 1,225 crore have been sanctioned in Tamil Nadu. These projects cover port infrastructure, coastal berths, and fish harbors. Additionally, Rs. 410 crore has been allocated for four fishing harbor projects, focusing on skill development and economic growth in coastal districts through collaboration with various ministries. The government is also exploring increased floating jetty projects in Tamil Nadu to enhance coastal infrastructure and improve connectivity.
Shri Sonowal emphasized the introduction and expansion of Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax services across several routes on National Waterways. He announced the identification and planned development of 26 new National Waterways to offer alternative transportation modes and enhance connectivity across various regions of India. Significant fairway development projects are underway under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), supported by the World Bank. These efforts include achieving a Least Available Depth (LAD) of up to 3.0 meters on critical stretches of NW-1, with ongoing works in stretches such as Haldia-Barh and Barh-Ghazipur. Additionally, fairway development is being carried out on NW-97 in the Sunderbans and on Indo-Bangladesh protocol routes to ensure round-the-year navigability.
Digital advancements have been a key focus, with the launch of the CAR-D portal for cargo data management and the PANI portal for detailed asset and navigation information. These platforms are designed to facilitate better stakeholder collaboration, improve organizational consistency, and enhance transparency.
Recent MoUs were signed to boost cargo and cruise services. Notable agreements include partnerships with Assam Tourism for riverine tourism, Bihar’s Department of Tourism for Ro-Pax vessel operations, and Numaligarh Refinery Limited for petroleum product transport. The government is also exploring new National Waterways projects in states such as Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen India’s inland water transport infrastructure.
Shri Sonowal outlined significant developments in port expansion and upgradation. V.O. Chidambaram Port has leased 500.82 acres of land to various industries for the development of Green Hydrogen and ammonia plants, reflecting a commitment to sustainable energy and industrial growth.
