Sagarmala Programme, Objectives, Achievements, Status, Sagarmala 2.0

The SagarMala Programme has been advanced to Sagarmala 2.0 with a budgetary support of ₹40,000 crore under the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047’. Initially launched in March 2015, this program focuses on modernizing ports, improving coastal shipping, and promoting inland waterways. Read on to learn more about it!

SagarMala Programme

The SagarMala Programme is an ambitious initiative launched in March 2015 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. It aims to revolutionize India’s maritime sector by leveraging its 7,500 km coastline and 14,500 km of navigable waterways. SagarMala focuses on port-led economic growth by modernizing ports, improving connectivity, and boosting industrial development along the coast.

Credit: https://sagarmala.gov.in/

SagarMala Project Details

The SagarMala Programme is a key part of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aims to make India a global maritime leader. Here are key details of this programme:

SagarMala Programme Objectives

The SagarMala Programme objectives focus on making India’s maritime sector globally efficient. This project aims at:

• Modernizing ports and increasing their capacity to handle higher cargo volumes.

• Reducing logistics costs to improve India's export competitiveness.

• Developing coastal economic zones (CEZs) to promote port-led industrialization.

• Enhancing port connectivity through road, rail, and waterways integration.

• Boosting coastal shipping to reduce congestion on roads and railways.

• Sustainable coastal development ensures environmental protection and economic growth.

Credit: PIB

SagarMala Project Ports List

Sagarmala has identified a total of 839 projects under its five pillars, which are further divided into 24 categories. Since its inception, India has seen significant growth in its maritime sector, with nine ports ranked among the world’s top 100, and Visakhapatnam standing out as one of the top 20 container ports globally.

The Sagarmala Project encompasses both major and minor ports across various states, contributing to the development and modernization of India’s coastal and inland waterways infrastructure. Here are some of the major ports under the Sagarmala project:

• Visakhapatnam Port

• Mundra Port

• Pipavav Port

• Kamarajar Port (Ennore)

• Cochin Port

• Hazira Port

• Krishnapatnam Port

• Chennai Port

Credit: PIB

Sagar Mala Project Current Status

As of now, the SagarMala Programme has identified approximately 839 projects, with an estimated cost of around ₹5.79 lakh crore. Out of these, 272 projects have been completed, which account for an investment of approximately ₹1.41 lakh crore. The current status of the SagarMala Project as of March 2025 is:

Credit: PIB

By 2030, the program aims to handle more than 10 billion metric tons of cargo through ports, showcasing the transformative potential of the programme.

Sagarmala Programme Achievements 

The SagarMala Programme has transformed India's maritime sector. Here are some of its key achievements:

• Growth in Coastal Shipping: There has been a 118% increase in coastal shipping over the last decade, which has significantly lowered logistics costs.

• Surge in Inland Waterway Cargo: An impressive 700% increase in inland waterway cargo movement has been recorded, helping reduce road and rail congestion.

• Passenger Benefits: Over 40 lakh passengers have benefitted from Ro-Pax ferries, enhancing coastal connectivity and making travel more convenient.

• Global Ranking: Nine Indian ports are now ranked among the world's top 100, with Visakhapatnam entering the top 20 container ports globally.

• Sagarmala Innovation: The initiation of the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2) is boosting research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in maritime technology.

These achievements highlight the success and the broad impact of the SagarMala Programme on India's economy and infrastructure.

Sagarmala 2.0

With the successes of the initial phase, the Indian government is rolling out Sagarmala 2.0, which focuses on enhancing shipbuilding, repair, and recycling. The government has allocated ₹40,000 crore as budgetary support to further the goals of this initiative. The aim is to attract an investment of around ₹12 lakh crore over the next decade.

Sagarmala 2.0 aims to position India as a hub for maritime innovation and sustainability. This initiative will drive the modernization of ports and expand the scope of the blue economy, ensuring job creation and infrastructure development. Sagarmala 2.0 aspires to place India at the forefront of the global maritime industry.

To sum up, the SagarMala Programme is a game-changer for India’s maritime sector, and with the launch of Sagarmala 2.0, India is set to become a global maritime leader.

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