The programme envisages unlocking the potential of waterways and the coastline to minimize infrastructural investments required to meet these targets.

To harness India’s 7,517 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes, the Government of India has embarked upon the ambitious Sagarmala Programme which aims to promote port-led development in the country.

The vision of Sagarmala is to reduce logistics costs for both domestic and EXIM cargo with minimal infrastructure investment.

Studies under Sagarmala have identified opportunities for reducing overall logistics costs, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the economy, and increasing the competitiveness of exports.

Subsequently, the projects were added based on the meetings of National and State Steering Committees of Sagarmala and in consultation with major ports and other relevant stakeholders.

[5] The Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL) was incorporated on 10 July 2015 to undertake the port-rail connectivity projects under Sagarmala Programme.

[8] Over the last few years, the Government has taken a number of modernization, mechanization, and digital transformation measures to reduce cost and time in international trade and improve ease-of-doing Business.

Ministry is planning expansion of Port capacity through the implementation of well-conceived infrastructure development projects, increasing the efficiency of Port operations through the implementation of a package of recommendations to cut time and cost, digitization of processes to reduce and finally eliminate human interface and to strongly address environment related concerns.

These projects are focusing on various critical aspects of maritime sector such as capacity enhancement at Indian ports, improving connectivity infrastructure, RO-RO, and tourism jetties along with urban water transportation, fishing harbor and skill development of coastal community.

Projects under this category have been largely identified through Detailed Master Planning exercise carried out under Sagarmala Programme.

The Sagarmala Programme has identified connectivity between ports and domestic production and consumption centers through rail, road, pipeline, MMLP under the dedicated pillar of port connectivity, consisting of 279 projects of total worth ₹206,363 lakh crore which are being undertaken by various implementing agencies.

Further, a Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan (CPCP) was prepared by DPIIT in September 2022, in consultation with MoPSW, MoR, MoRTH, and State Maritime Boards.

There are 114 port-rail connectivity projects under Sagarmala which are being implemented by Indian Railways, Major Ports, and State Govts.

These projects will help in integrating port rail and road connectivity resulting in a reduction in logistics costs for the EXIM business.

There are 152 port-road connectivity projects identified under Sagarmala which are being implemented by MoRTH / NHAI, Major Ports, and State Govts.

Multi Skill Development Center (MSDC) is already operational at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).

Additionally, 5 fishing harbours adjacent to Major ports namely Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Mallet Bunder have been sanctioned for modernization and up-gradation.

Further, 50 locations have been identified in Phase I for implementation of floating jetties in the Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, and Kerala.

Additionally, these projects have brought in tourism in the region with activities such as bird watching (flamingo’s) and water sports.

NMHC will not only curate and present diverse & rich artefacts from ancient to modern times from across India but also inspire the public and make them aware of and learn about our glorious maritime heritage.

The NMHC project, is envisaged to be one of the largest maritime complexes in the world which is aimed to be developed as a world class and unique complex having a comprehensive integration of past, present, and future maritime activities, edutainment through interactive and experiential holistic learning, depiction of life size architecture of Lothal, etc.

The project components of NMHC include NMHC museum with 14 galleries, Lothal Town and Open Aquatic Gallery, Lighthouse Museum, Bagicha Complex, Coastal State Pavilions and Recreation of Lothal city, Eco resorts and Museuotel, Theme based parks, Maritime research institute and hostel, etc.

The NMHC project will not only boost tourism but will also generate employment in large numbers and will also help in reviving the local businesses of the region.