Sagarmala Scheme, Key Pillars and Achievements

Learn about the Sagarmala Scheme, India’s visionary initiative to enhance port-led development, boost logistics efficiency, and drive economic growth through coastal and maritime infrastructure.

Table of Contents

Context: Recently the 4th NSAC meet was held to review and boost port-led development under the Sagarmala Programme.

About Sagarmala Scheme

Sagarmala Scheme is a port-led development initiative launched by the Government of India in 2015 under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW).
Objective: To modernize ports, improve logistics efficiency and boost coastal economy by leveraging India’s long coastline (7,500 km), 14,500 km of navigable inland waterways and strategic location on global maritime trade routes.
National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC): It was established in May 2015 to oversee Port-Led Development under Sagarmala Scheme.

Achievements of Sagarmala

Coastal shipping has grown by 118% in the last decade.
Ro-Pax ferry services have transported over 40 lakh passengers.
Nine Indian ports now rank among the top 100 globally (Visakhapatnam among the top 20 container ports).

5 Key Pillars of Sagarmala Scheme

Port Modernisation & New Port Development: Increase cargo handling capacity, reduce turnaround time and improve the global competitiveness of Indian ports.
- 234 port modernisation projects worth ₹2.91 lakh crore (103 completed, adding 230 MTPA capacity).
Port Connectivity Enhancement: Improve last-mile connectivity of ports through road, rail and inland waterways.
- 279 connectivity projects worth ₹2.06 lakh crore (92 completed, adding 1,500 km of road/rail linkages).
Port-Led Industrialisation & Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs): Establish industrial clusters near ports to boost manufacturing and exports.
- 14 industrial projects worth ₹55,000 crore (9 completed).
- Development of Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Coastal Community Development: Improve the livelihoods of coastal populations, especially fishermen and local businesses.
- 310 projects worth ₹26,000 crore benefiting 30,000+ fishermen.
Inland Waterways Development: Promote water-based transport to reduce congestion on roads and railways.
- Revival of National Waterways (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, etc.).
- Growth of inland waterway cargo by 700% over a decade.

Sagarmala 2.0

Focus Areas: Shipbuilding, repair, shipbreaking and recycling.
Investment: ₹40,000 crore budgetary support to attract ₹12 lakh crore investments over the next decade.
Objectives:
- Bridge critical infrastructure gaps.
- Enhance coastal economic growth.
- Position India as a global maritime leader.

Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2)

Objective: Driving a new wave of RISE (Research, Innovation, Startups, and Entrepreneurship).
Key Focus Areas: Green shipping, Smart ports, Maritime logistics, Shipbuilding technology, Sustainable coastal development.
Support Provided: Funding, mentorship and industry partnerships.