India Aims to Build World’s Largest Port

At the India Economic Summit 2024, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal outlined ambitious plans for India to construct the world’s largest port, heralding a significant shift in the nation’s maritime sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. During an interview with Senior Editor Shawan Sen, Sonowal reflected on the challenges faced by the industry, highlighting that it was once overlooked. “Water is essential to human and national development,” he remarked, emphasizing the government’s renewed focus on revitalizing this vital sector.

Sonowal discussed the Sagarmala Program as a key driver of this transformation, facilitating collaboration with private stakeholders and coastal states. He noted substantial improvements, such as reducing container turnaround times from 44 hours to 22, as evidenced by a World Bank report. Currently, India holds a mere 2.4% of global container traffic, but the government aims to boost local production and aspirations to rank among the top 10 maritime nations in 25 years.

The Minister also revealed plans for India’s shipbuilding industry to break into the top five globally within the next decade, with significant investments projected for 2047. He underscored the importance of maritime developments in generating employment and fostering economic growth, particularly in the Northeast through new trade initiatives along the Brahmaputra River. Sonowal concluded with a commitment to enhancing India’s waterways, emphasizing their potential for economic prosperity.