The Ministry of Trade Union for Ports and Shipping, as stated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, is focused on enhancing Kollam Port. This effort includes accommodating luxury and freight vessels and launching services to Minicoy Island. The state must prepare a proposal to align with the Sagarmala project for optimal development.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced an additional Rs 1,000 crore for inland waterways projects in Assam and the Northeast, aiming for completion by 2026. He emphasized the development of maritime skills for the local workforce and reviewed key infrastructure projects along the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, enhancing regional transportation and tourism.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held extensive review meetings in Mumbai to assess key maritime projects, emphasizing the need for normal business operations amid challenges. He directed officials to ensure smooth cargo movement and evaluated the National Maritime Heritage Complex and the Greenfield Mega Port project, urging accelerated development to enhance India’s maritime leadership.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is set to visit Singapore for three days to participate in the ‘Singapore Maritime Week’, aiming to strengthen maritime cooperation between India and Singapore. Scheduled meetings with Singaporean counterparts and top maritime leaders will focus on unlocking opportunities in the industry and navigating global trends.
Shantanu Thakur, GOI Union Minister of State for PSW, visited JNPA in India to assess the Vadhvan Port project’s progress. He signed an MoU with YCMOU to offer port operation programs and discussed strategic initiatives with stakeholders to enhance maritime trade. Thakur emphasized the importance of port infrastructure in boosting economic growth and global competitiveness.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal convened a pre-Budget meeting with industry stakeholders to discuss India’s maritime sector development. Encouraging collaboration, he urged stakeholders to share ideas for nation-building efforts. Emphasizing sustainable infrastructure, Sonowal highlighted initiatives like the Vadhavan Mega Transshipment Port to boost economic growth. Over 150 stakeholders, including industry leaders, participated in shaping India’s maritime future.
Sarbananda Sonowal, a prominent BJP leader, has been appointed as the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways in the NDA government. Sonowal, representing the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency in Assam, is committed to advancing India’s maritime sector. His appointment signifies a strategic focus on enhancing the country’s presence in the global maritime industry and achieving maritime goals.
