What is Sagarmala programme?

Financial assistance of about Rs 1,891 crore has been released under Sagarmala scheme so far, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. A total of 151 projects have been sanctioned till date, he added. 

There are 12 major ports and 217 non-major ports in India. Out of 217 non-major ports, cargo is being handled on 68 non-major ports. All non-major ports are under the administrative control of the respective state governments.

Sagarmala programme

• The maritime sector has been the backbone of the country’s trade and has grown manifold over the years. To harness India’s 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes, the government launched the Sagarmala programme, which aims to promote port-led development in the country.

• It was approved by the Union Cabinet on March 25, 2015.

• It holds a vision to reduce logistics cost for both domestic and EXIM cargo with optimal infrastructure investment. 

The projects under the scheme have been categorised into five pillars:

i) Port modernisation & new port development

ii) Port connectivity enhancement

iii) Port-led industrialisation

iv) Coastal community development

v) Coastal shipping and inland water transport.

• Projects under Sagarmala are being implemented by relevant major ports, central ministries, state maritime boards, state governments and other agencies. 

• Sagarmala programme was conceptualised in 2015-16 with 175 projects, which increased over the years to 802 projects worth investment of Rs 5.48 lakh crore.

• Addition of new projects in Sagarmala is a continuous process in the ministry wherein states and implementing agencies progressively submit their new proposals which are taken for consideration for funding as per their requirement. 

• In May 2022, the government announced expanding the scope of the Sagarmala Programme to 1,537 projects with an estimated cost of Rs 6.5 lakh crore.

• The National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) is the apex body providing policy directions and guidance for Sagarmala projects and reviews its implementation. The NSAC was constituted on May 13, 2015 by the Union Cabinet and is chaired by minister for ports, shipping & waterways with Cabinet ministers from stakeholder central ministries and chief ministers & administrators of coastal states and Union Territories as members.

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