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Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, will spearhead critical discussions on India’s ambitious Sagarmala Programme, National Waterways, and Port Connectivity at the upcoming 20th Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) meeting. This meeting will gather key officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) and representatives from India’s maritime states.
The MSDC is expected to enhance the country’s maritime infrastructure, emphasising projects like the Sagarmala initiative. Launched to modernize ports and promote port-led development, Sagarmala aims to reduce logistics costs and boost India’s global trade competitiveness. The discussions will also take notes for the National Waterways, a strategic plan to leverage the nation’s extensive river networks for cargo movement, reducing road and rail infrastructure pressure.
Improving port connectivity, both road and rail will be another focal point. Strengthening this aspect of logistics is crucial for ensuring seamless transportation of goods from ports to hinterland destinations. The forum will examine the role of multi-modal transport networks in optimizing the efficiency of supply chains across the country.
This MSDC meeting comes at a time when India is seeking to strengthen its maritime sector as part of its larger economic vision. The discussions led by Sonowal are expected to result in key decisions that will further align India’s maritime infrastructure with global standards, promoting trade and sustainable growth.
The Sagarmala Programme, launched in 2015, has already seen the completion of over 200 projects, with an investment of around ₹1 lakh crore. These projects span port modernization, new port development, and enhancing hinterland connectivity. The government has plans to roll out an additional 400 projects by 2035 aimed at accelerating India’s trade capabilities and boosting coastal economies.
National Waterways have also emerged as a key priority under India’s maritime agenda, with 111 inland waterways identified for development. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has been actively working to operationalize these channels, promoting eco-friendly and cost-efficient modes of transport.