LOGISTICS AND MARINE INFRASTRUCTURE

LOGISTICS AND MARINE INFRASTRUCTURE

The steps taken by the Government to accelerate port-based development under PM GatiShakti include mapping of 26 data layers along with relevant attributes of all the operational ports across the country on the Geographic Information System (GIS) based PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) Portal. This enables integrated planning of infrastructure, technology intervention, policy reform and identification of critical road and rail last mile connectivity projects.

Sagarmala programme focuses on implementation of projects related to enhancement of ports capacity, connectivity and efficiency for promoting port-led development. The key areas of focus include port modernisation & mechanisation, strengthening last-mile road and rail connectivity, coastal community development, and promotion of multimodal logistics parks. The programme also emphasizes integration of ports with coastal shipping and inland waterways to reduce the logistics cost and improve overall supply chain efficiency.

The policy initiatives related to inland waterways are as under:

As regards green shipping, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways launched ‘Harit Sagar’ Green Port Guidelines in May 2023 to reduce carbon footprints and to develop an environment friendly ecosystem at major ports. The ministry also introduced Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) in August 2024 to drive transition from conventional fuel-based harbour tugs to greener ones being more sustainable alternatives for environmental sustainability.

As a result of reforms and initiative, the combined cargo handling capacity of the major ports increased from 555 million metric tones per annum (MTPA) in the financial year (FY) 2013-14 to 1,681 MTPAin FY 2024-25. Further, container vessel turnaround time significantly reduced from 41.76 hours in the year 2013-14 to 28.5 hours in the year 2024-25. Similarly, cargo movement through inland waterways, a cheaper mode of transport, has gained momentum and it has increased from 18.07 MMT in the year 2013-14 to 145.84 MMT in FY 2024-25.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Ji, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.