New Delhi, Oct 15 (PTI) – India’s maritime sector has undergone significant transformation over the past 11 years, with the government anticipating an investment of Rs 80 lakh crore in the domestic industry over the next 22 years. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal made this announcement during the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), marking 50 years since the port began operations in 1975.
Sonowal emphasized that the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 provides a long-term strategy for enhancing India’s maritime capabilities, which are pivotal for achieving the goal of a USD 30 trillion economy. He highlighted the importance of becoming a developed and self-reliant maritime nation by 2047, stating that India’s ports will play a crucial role in this transformation.
The minister praised the NMPA for its meticulous planning and modernization efforts, which have established it as one of India’s top-performing ports. Over the past five decades, the port has significantly increased its cargo handling capacity, reaching 46.01 million tonnes in the last financial year. Additionally, plans for a new deep-draft general cargo berth are underway, further enhancing its operational capabilities.
Sonowal also noted that New Mangalore Port is the second-largest LPG handling port in India and has been actively involved in cruise tourism since 2002. The port has transitioned to a fully digitized system and is a pioneer in sustainable operations, being one of the first major ports powered entirely by solar energy. He commended the green initiatives undertaken by the NMPA, emphasizing that economic growth should not compromise ecological integrity. Under the Sagarmala project, 840 initiatives worth Rs 5.8 lakh crore are planned by 2035, with numerous projects already completed or in progress.
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