New Delhi: The Government of India is accelerating port-led development under the Sagarmala Programme, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) aimed at modernising ports, improving connectivity and reducing logistics costs.
Under the Sagarmala scheme, the Government provides financial assistance for projects across five key pillars — port modernisation, port connectivity, port-led industrialisation, coastal community development, and coastal shipping & inland water transport (IWT).
The details were shared by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
Sagarmala Programme Focuses on Port-Led Development
The Sagarmala Programme is a Central Sector Scheme designed to promote economic growth through efficient utilisation of India’s coastline and maritime resources.
The programme aims to:
- Modernise existing ports and develop new infrastructure.
- Improve road, rail and inland waterway connectivity.
- Reduce transportation and logistics costs.
- Promote coastal community development.
- Strengthen coastal shipping and inland water transport.
The projects under Sagarmala are implemented across five major development areas to create a more efficient maritime ecosystem.
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79 Sagarmala Projects Completed with Investment of ₹5,374.5 Crore
Under the Sagarmala scheme, a total of 79 projects have been completed across different pillars with a combined cost of ₹5,374.5 crore.
Another 54 projects worth ₹4,538.2 crore are currently under implementation.
Pillar-Wise Progress of Sagarmala Projects
- Coastal Shipping and Inland Water Transport
- Completed Projects: 25
- Completed Project Cost: ₹1,178.5 crore
- Under Implementation: 17 projects
- Cost: ₹1,167.7 crore
- Coastal Community Development
- Completed Projects: 19
- Completed Project Cost: ₹1,912.6 crore
- Under Implementation: 28 projects
- Cost: ₹3,008.4 crore
- Port Modernisation
- Completed Projects: 18
- Completed Project Cost: ₹870.2 crore
- Under Implementation: 6 projects
- Cost: ₹160.8 crore
- Port Connectivity
- Completed Projects: 17
- Completed Project Cost: ₹1,413.2 crore
- Under Implementation: 3 projects
- Cost: ₹201.3 crore
Port Capacity Increases to 2,818 Million Tonnes Per Annum
The Government has undertaken several measures to improve port capacity and operational efficiency at Major Ports and Other Than Major Ports (OTMP).
Key measures include:
- Construction of new berths and terminals.
- Mechanisation and modernisation of existing facilities.
- Capital dredging to accommodate larger vessels.
- Development of road and rail connectivity.
- Creation of supporting infrastructure such as parking facilities.
- Streamlining port operations through digital initiatives.
As a result of these efforts, the cargo handling capacity of Indian ports has increased to 2,818 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) as of March 2026, compared with around 1,400 MTPA in 2013-14.
One Nation One Port Process Improves Efficiency
The Government has introduced the One Nation One Port Process (ONOP) initiative to streamline port operations, improve efficiency and reduce vessel turnaround time.
The initiative focuses on standardising port processes and ensuring smoother cargo movement across ports.
Sagarmala Strengthens Port Connectivity Network
Improving connectivity between ports and their hinterlands is one of the key objectives of the Sagarmala Programme.
The Port Connectivity pillar focuses on developing last-mile and immediate hinterland connectivity through:
- Road networks
- Rail infrastructure
- Inland waterways
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) prepared the Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan (CPCP) in 2022 after reviewing connectivity requirements of operational ports.
294 Rail and Road Connectivity Projects Identified
Following consultations between MoPSW, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the Ministry of Railways, a total of 294 rail and road connectivity projects have been identified.
Progress of these projects:
- 84 projects completed
- 63 Rail projects
- 21 Road projects
- 66 projects under implementation
- 27 Rail projects
- 39 Road projects
- 144 projects under planning stage
- 42 Rail projects
- 102 Road projects
Projects within port limits are undertaken by port authorities, while projects outside port boundaries are implemented by agencies such as the Ministry of Railways, MoRTH and State Governments.
Inland Waterway Connectivity Projects Under Sagarmala
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has developed several multimodal and inland water transport facilities across National Waterways.
Completed projects include:
- National Waterway-1 (NW-1)
- 3 Multi Modal Terminals (MMTs)
- 1 Intermodal Terminal
- National Waterway-2 (NW-2)
- 1 Multi Modal Terminal
- 3 IWT Terminals
- National Waterway-3 (NW-3)
- 9 IWT Terminals
- Ro-Ro Terminals
- 2 Ro-Ro terminals in Ernakulam
- 1 Ro-Ro terminal on NW-4
Sagarmala Projects in Andhra Pradesh Receive ₹272 Crore Support
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has sanctioned financial assistance of ₹272 crore for 9 Sagarmala projects worth ₹1,286 crore in Andhra Pradesh.
These projects cover:
- Port modernisation
- Ro-Pax and passenger jetties
- Fishing harbours
- Coastal skill development initiatives
Major Sagarmala Projects in Andhra Pradesh
- Construction of Coastal Berth at Visakhapatnam Port
- Port connectivity road projects in Visakhapatnam
- Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS)
- Coastal Districts Skill Development Programme
- Development of Fishing Harbour at Juvvaladinne, SPSR Nellore
- Improvement of Kakinada Anchorage Port Infrastructure
- Modernisation of Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour
Among these, most projects have been completed, while modernisation of Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour and the second phase of the Coastal Districts Skill Development Programme are under implementation.
Sagarmala Programme Driving India’s Maritime Growth
The Sagarmala Programme continues to play an important role in strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure by improving port capacity, connectivity and operational efficiency. With continued investment in modernisation, logistics networks and coastal development, the initiative aims to support economic growth and enhance India’s position in global maritime trade.
