Key developments and updates related to India’s Sagarmala Programme, particularly focusing on Sagarmala 2.0, which aims to bolster India’s maritime infrastructure and coastal economy. Here’s an elaboration of the key points with keywords:

Key Points & Keywords:

1. Sagarmala 2.0:

• The flagship Sagarmala Programme has entered its next phase, Sagarmala 2.0, focusing on shipbuilding, repair, breaking, and recycling.
• This upgrade aims to bridge critical infrastructure gaps in India’s maritime sector and make the country a global maritime leader.
• ₹40,000 crores in budgetary support are allocated to this phase, with expected investments of ₹12 lakh crore over the next decade.

2. Port Modernisation and Connectivity:

• The Sagarmala Programme has already executed 839 projects, worth ₹5.79 lakh crore, of which 272 projects have been completed.
• 234 port modernisation projects, valued at ₹2.91 lakh crore, are underway, which have added 230 MTPA capacity to Indian ports.
• 279 connectivity projects, worth ₹2.06 lakh crore, are enhancing 1,500 km of port links.

3. Coastal Economic Development:

• Port-led industrialisation has seen 14 projects worth ₹55,000 crores, and 9 have already been completed.
• Over 310 projects worth ₹26,000 crores have benefited more than 30,000 fishermen and strengthened coastal infrastructure.

4. Maritime Growth:

• Over the past decade, coastal shipping grew by 118%, while inland waterway cargo increased by 700%.
• The Ro-Pax ferries transported over 40 lakh passengers.
• Nine Indian ports now rank in the world’s top 100, with Vizag in the top 20 container ports globally.
• India’s ports now outperform many advanced maritime nations in key metrics.

5. Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2):

• The S2I2 initiative focuses on fostering innovation in the maritime sector, particularly in areas like green shipping, smart ports, maritime logistics, shipbuilding technology, and sustainable coastal development.
• This program will offer funding, mentorship, and industry partnerships to startups and entrepreneurs working on cutting-edge solutions.

6. Future Goals:

• Shipbuilding: India aims to position itself among the top five shipbuilding nations globally, with a target of adding 4 million GRT of shipbuilding capacity.
• Port Handling Capacity: The goal is to expand port handling capacity to 10 billion metric tons annually.
• Coastal Community Impact: Over 30,000 fishermen have already benefitted from Sagarmala’s initiatives aimed at coastal community development.

7. NSAC (National Sagarmala Apex Committee):

• The 4th NSAC meeting reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to sustainable coastal development and maritime excellence.
• The committee’s focus is on port-led development, policy direction, and oversight for the Sagarmala Programme.

Impact & Vision:

Sagarmala 2.0 is seen as a transformative initiative that will elevate India’s position in the global maritime sector by modernising ports, boosting coastal economies, fostering green technologies, and ensuring sustainable development. This will help India become a dominant force in shipbuilding, repair, and recycling, and further develop its infrastructure to support trade and economic growth.

The Sagarmala Programme, through its ambitious 2.0 phase, demonstrates India’s vision of becoming a global maritime leader, with significant infrastructure investments, technological advancements, and a focus on sustainable economic growth, job creation, and improved global trade connectivity.