India to Strengthen Maritime Infrastructure with Sagarmala 2.0, ₹12 Lakh Crore Investment Planned

New Delhi: The 4th National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) meeting, held under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, has paved the way for enhanced port-led development and maritime infrastructure in India. The meeting reviewed key projects under the Sagarmala Programme and set the stage for its next phase—Sagarmala 2.0.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) is currently overseeing 839 projects worth ₹5.79 lakh crore under Sagarmala, with 272 projects already completed at an investment of ₹1.41 lakh crore. The programme has significantly improved India’s maritime infrastructure, modernized ports, and boosted coastal economic activity. So far, 234 port modernization projects worth ₹2.91 lakh crore have been launched, with 103 completed, adding 230 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity. Additionally, connectivity projects worth ₹2.06 lakh crore have enhanced 1,500 km of port links.

Speaking at the event, Sonowal said, “Sagarmala has unlocked the true potential of India’s maritime sector. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are addressing critical infrastructure gaps, driving coastal economic growth, and positioning India as a global maritime leader.”

Sagarmala 2.0 is set to accelerate India’s maritime expansion with a ₹40,000 crore budgetary allocation, aiming to generate investments worth ₹12 lakh crore over the next decade. The programme will focus on shipbuilding, repair, and recycling while strengthening India’s port network to enhance global trade.

Over the past decade, India’s coastal shipping sector has grown by 118%, inland waterway cargo transport has increased by 700%, and nine Indian ports now rank among the world’s top 100. Vizag has made it into the top 20 global container ports.

The NSAC meeting, attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, and representatives from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, focused on the progress and future roadmap for Sagarmala projects.

A major highlight of the meeting was the launch of the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2), a programme designed to foster innovation in the maritime sector. The initiative will support startups working in green shipping, smart ports, maritime logistics, shipbuilding technology, and coastal sustainability. S2I2 aims to drive Research, Innovation, Startups, and Entrepreneurship (RISE), offering funding, mentorship, and industry partnerships to nurture cutting-edge solutions.

The meeting also emphasized India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV), which aims to establish India as one of the world’s top five shipbuilding nations. The ambitious vision includes expanding India’s port handling capacity to 10 billion metric tons annually and adding 4 million gross registered tonnage (GRT) of shipbuilding capacity.

With Sagarmala 2.0 and initiatives like S2I2, India is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable coastal development, port modernization, and innovation-driven maritime growth. The meeting concluded with a renewed push to reduce logistics costs, enhance export-import (EXIM) trade efficiency, and develop coastal economic zones, ensuring that India remains a key player in the global maritime sector.