Sagar Mala project


The Sagarmala Programme is an initiative by the Government of India to enhance the performance of the country's logistics sector. The programme envisages unlocking the potential of waterways and the coastline to minimize infrastructural investments required to meet these targets.
The Sagarmala Programme is the flagship programme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to promote port-led development in the country. Maritime sector in India has been the backbone of the country’s trade and has grown manifold over the years. To harness India’s 7,517 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes, the Government of India has embarked upon the ambitious Sagarmala Programme which aims to promote port-led development in the country. The concept of Sagarmala was approved by the Union Cabinet on 25 March 2015.
The vision of Sagarmala is to reduce logistics costs for both domestic and EXIM cargo with minimal infrastructure investment. Studies under Sagarmala have identified opportunities for reducing overall logistics costs, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the economy, and increasing the competitiveness of exports.
Sagarmala both enabler and beneficiary of other key Government of India schemes, such as Industrial corridor, Make in India, Startup India, Standup India, Setu Bharatam, Dedicated Freight Corridors, Bharatmala, UDAN-RCS, Digital India, BharatNet, Parvatmala.

Background

As part of the Programme, a National Perspective Plan for the comprehensive development of India’s coastline and maritime sector was prepared which was released by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, during the Maritime India Summit 2016.
The projects under the scheme have been categorized into five pillars:
  1. Port modernization & new port development,
  2. Port connectivity enhancement,
  3. Port-led industrialization,
  4. Coastal community development and
  5. Coastal shipping and Inland water transport
Initial source of project list for inclusion of projects in Sagarmala was National Perspective Plan prepared along with Master Planning of Major Ports. Subsequently, the projects were added based on the meetings of National and State Steering Committees of Sagarmala and in consultation with major ports and other relevant stakeholders. Further, certain project proposals were also received for funding from various implementing agencies. Projects aligned with Sagarmala objectives were made part of the Programme.
The National Sagarmala Apex Committee is composed of the Minister of Shipping with Cabinet Ministers from stakeholder ministries and ministers in charge of ports in India's maritime states. The NSAC approved the overall National Perspective Plan and regularly reviews the progress of implementation of these plans.
To assist in the implementation of Sagarmala projects, the Sagarmala Development Company Limited was incorporated on 31 August 2016, after receiving Cabinet approval on 20 July 2016, for providing funding support to project SPVs and projects in-line with Sagarmala objectives. Additionally, SDCL is also in the process of preparation of Detailed Project Report and feasibility studies for specific projects that could provide avenues for future equity investment by the company. The Sagarmala Development Company was incorporated after approval from the Indian Cabinet on 20 July 2016 with an initial authorized share capital of crore and subscribed share capital of crore, to give a push to port-led development.
The Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Limited was incorporated on 10 July 2015 to undertake the port-rail connectivity projects under Sagarmala Programme.
The Sagarmala National Perspective Plan was released by the Prime Minister on 14 April 2016 at the maiden Maritime India Summit 2016, with details on Project Plan and Implementation.

Synopsis of projects under Sagarmala

Under Sagarmala Programme, 839 projects, at an estimated investment of approximately lakh crore, for implementation by 2035, out of which, 241 projects worth lakh crore have been completed and 234 projects worth Lakh Crore are under implementation. In addition to the above, 364 projects worth Lakh crore are under various stages of development. These projects are being implemented by relevant central ministries, state governments, major ports. Regular monitoring of the projects and interaction with project proponents, various line ministries and implementing agencies is being done with MIS tool. These projects are categorized into five pillars – Port Modernization, Port Connectivity, Port-Led Industrialization, Coastal Community Development and Coastal Shipping & Inland Water Transport. Under holistic development of coastal districts, a total of 567 projects with an estimated cost of around crores have been identified. The details are as below.
Project ThemeNo. of ProjectsProject Cost
Port Modernisation234 million
Port Connectivity279 million
Port-Led Industrialisation14 million
Coastal Community Development81 million
Coastal Shipping and IWT231 million
Total839

Over the last few years, the Government has taken a number of modernization, mechanization, and digital transformation measures to reduce cost and time in international trade and improve ease-of-doing Business. Ministry is planning expansion of Port capacity through the implementation of well-conceived infrastructure development projects, increasing the efficiency of Port operations through the implementation of a package of recommendations to cut time and cost, digitization of processes to reduce and finally eliminate human interface and to strongly address environment related concerns.
Under the budget head of Sagarmala, 171 projects worth crores have been sanctioned with funding support of crores. Out of total 171 projects sanctioned under Sagarmala, 55 projects worth crores have been completed and 68 projects worth crores have been awarded and are under implementation. Remaining projects are under development stages. These projects are focusing on various critical aspects of maritime sector such as capacity enhancement at Indian ports, improving connectivity infrastructure, RO-RO, and tourism jetties along with urban water transportation, fishing harbor and skill development of coastal community.
Under Sagarmala Programme,20 projects with a total investment of crores have been completed in the calendar year 2023, out of which 4 projects focused on Port Modernization, 14 projects on port connectivity, and 2 projects under the pillar of coastal shipping and IWT. Out of these 20 projects, 6 projects have been supported financially under the Sagarmala scheme.
Major projects which have been completed in 2023 includes Bunker Berth at Bharathi Dock in Chennai Port, Breakwater in North and South side of entrance channel& Capital Dredging at Cuddalore Port, Capital Dredging for Puducherry Port, Ro-Pax Facility at Hazira, 12 m wide concrete road connecting berth 5 6 7 8 & 9 to new entry / exit road at Mormugao Port, and Improvement of road connectivity to facilitate trade and port users at Kolkata Dock, Phase-2.
Port-modernization under Sagarmala
Giving special emphasis to modernization of Indian ports under Sagarmala, a total of 234 projects at cost of lakh crore have been undertaken for implementation by 2035. Out of which, 94 projects worth crores have been completed. 65 and 75 projects are under implementation and development stages respectively. These projects under the modernization pillar are further divided into 4 categories –New Ports, Port Modernization – Major Ports, Port Modernization – Non-Major Ports, Ship Repair projects.
At Major Ports, 170 projects worth lakh crores are being implemented in India. Projects under this category have been largely identified through Detailed Master Planning exercise carried out under Sagarmala Programme. Out of 170 projects, 90 projects worth crores have been completed. Further, 38 projects worth crores have been awarded and are under implementation. Balance 42 projects worth lakh crore are under various stages of development.
There are 57 projects worth crores identified under the Sagarmala Programme for implementation at Non-Major Ports. 4 projects worth crores have been completed so far whereas 24 projects worth crores are under implementation. The remaining 29 projects worth crores are under various stages of development. 31 projects out of 45 are being implemented in PPP mode with a total investment of crores. The Ministry is also financially supporting several projects at non-major ports to enhance their capacity and efficiency during operations. Project of construction of breakwaters and dredging at Cuddalore port is completed. Dredging at Puducherry port is 100% supported under Sagarmala and coastal berths have been planned at Old Mangaluru Port, Karwar, and Diu.

Port connectivity under Sagarmala

The Sagarmala Programme has identified connectivity between ports and domestic production and consumption centers through rail, road, pipeline, MMLP under the dedicated pillar of port connectivity, consisting of 279 projects of total worth lakh crore which are being undertaken by various implementing agencies. Out of these, 83 projects worth crores have been completed and 66 projects worth crores have been awarded and are under implementation. Remaining, 130 projects worth crores are under development.
Further, a Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan was prepared by DPIIT in September 2022, in consultation with MoPSW, MoR, MoRTH, and State Maritime Boards. CPCP identified 100+ new road and rail connectivity infrastructure gaps, many of which have been included in the Sagarmala Programme.
There are 114 port-rail connectivity projects under Sagarmala which are being implemented by Indian Railways, Major Ports, and State Govts. Out of these,49 projects worth Cr. are completed adding 1,675 kms of rail, and 28 projects worth Cr. are under implementation. Further, 37 projects worth Cr. are under development. These projects will help in integrating port rail and road connectivity resulting in a reduction in logistics costs for the EXIM business.
There are 152 port-road connectivity projects identified under Sagarmala which are being implemented by MoRTH / NHAI, Major Ports, and State Govts. Out of these, 26 projects worth Cr. are completed adding 500 kms of roads and 36 projects worth Cr. are under implementation, Further, 90 projects worth Cr. are under development.
‘Report on Connectivity of Ports to Industrial Nodes’ has been prepared by MoPSW wherein an assessment and gap analysis of connectivity or ports vis-a-viz all the existing and upcoming nodes under different industrial corridors under NICDIT has been done. The report has identified 62 new road and rail infrastructure gaps. The report was shared with MoR and MoRTH in October 2023 with request for further actions regarding the projects proposed in the report.