23 waterways to be operationalize by 2030, PM in Maritime Summit

India is emerging as a leading blue economy of the world. The country will achieve great success in boosting the maritime economy as India is a natural leader in this sector. In his inaugural speech in the second edition of three day Maritime India Summit-2021 on Tuesdaay, prime minister Narendra Modi has said that the government is emphasizing on creating a world class maritime infrastructure through various reforms and by increasing investments in the port sector.

He said, the government has prepared a list of more than 400 investable projects which have investment potential of 31 billion dollars and more than 574 projects worth of 82 billion dollars have been identified for implementation under the Sagarmala project. Modi said steps are being taken to  integrate ports with coastal economic zones, creating ports based smart cities and promoting global manufacturing activities near ports. He said, holistic development of island infrastructure and ecosystem has been initiated and the government is laying emphasis on use of renewal energy on major ports.  The government is aiming to operationalise 23 waterways by the year 2030 and Indian ports have reduced waiting time for inbound and outbound cargo and  a programme has been drawn up for development of tourism in the land adjacent to 78 lighthouses, he said.

The Prime Minister invited the world and the private sector to come forward to invest in ports. He said, the government is focusing on domestic ship building and is open to learn global best practices. Minister of Transport of Denmark Mr Benny Englebrecht, Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Mansukh Mandaviya also took part in the Summit.