New Delhi: Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s port-led development vision, the Centre has intensified efforts to bridge India’s maritime hubs with robust land-based infrastructure. As of July 2025, a total of 272 rail and road connectivity projects have been identified under the Sagarmala Programme, aiming to strengthen port connectivity and drive coastal economic growth.
Project Status Reflects Steady Momentum
Of the 272 connectivity projects outlined, 74 have already been completed. An additional 67 projects are currently under implementation, while 131 remain under various stages of development. These projects are being spearheaded by key stakeholders including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Railways, major port authorities, and private concessionaires.
To ensure timely coordination and policy alignment, a National Sagarmala Apex Committee oversees the overarching strategy and planning. In parallel, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways regularly convenes Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) meetings to align efforts among central departments and maritime states.
Over ₹5.79 Lakh Crore in Projects Across India’s Coastline
The broader Sagarmala Programme has identified 839 projects nationwide, with an estimated cumulative cost of ₹5.79 lakh crore. These span port modernization, port-linked industrialization, and coastal community development. Of these, 119 projects worth ₹2.42 lakh crore are being implemented through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, underscoring private sector confidence in India’s maritime future. The remaining projects are being carried out under the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) model with direct government funding.
In a bid to streamline execution, the Ministry has recently revised its Sagarmala Funding Guidelines, aiming to accelerate project implementation while ensuring financial propriety in schemes supported by direct central funding.
Strategic Vision Backed by Institutional Muscle
The latest update, shared by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, reinforces Sagarmala’s status as a cornerstone in India’s multimodal infrastructure vision. It also highlights the strategic pivot toward integrated transport corridors, aiming to unlock the full economic potential of India’s 7,500-km coastline.
