Evaluate the Sagarmala Programme and the role of major ports in driving export-led growth.
Subtopic: Economy · Infrastructure (ports)
How to structure your answer
Introduction: Sagarmala Programme (2015) under MoPSW lists 839 projects worth ₹5.8 lakh crore; major ports handled 819 MT in FY24 (IPA data); Vadhavan greenfield port approved Jun 2024.
Body: 1) Port modernisation — Indira Container Terminal, Vizhinjam transshipment commissioned 2024. 2) Connectivity — coastal economic zones, Inland Waterways NW-1. 3) Constraints — turnaround time (gap with Singapore), dredging, multi-modal interface.
Way forward: Operationalise Maritime India Vision 2030 (₹3 lakh crore investments); PPP under Major Port Authorities Act 2021; integrate with PM Gati Shakti for hinterland connectivity.
Written within the word limit
129 words · target 150 words · 9 min
Introduction: The Sagarmala Programme, launched March 2015 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, identifies 839 projects worth ₹5.79 lakh crore. Indian major ports handled 819 MMT cargo in FY25 (IPA Annual Report).
Body: Its four pillars are port modernisation, connectivity, port-led industrialisation through Coastal Economic Zones, and coastal community development. 272 projects worth ₹1.41 lakh crore have been completed, including JNPT-Mumbai connectivity and the Vizhinjam Transshipment Terminal (Adani-Kerala, operational October 2024) — India's first deep-water transshipment port, reducing loss of $200-220 million/year to Colombo. Port turnaround has dropped to 1.95 days (FY25) from 2.79 (FY20). Vadhavan Port (₹76,000 crore, Cabinet June 2024) and Galathea Bay Great Nicobar (₹40,000 crore) are pipeline. Constraints: hinterland connectivity, rail-share at 22% versus optimal 40%, dredging cost-overruns.
Way forward: The Ministry of Ports should commission Vadhavan Phase-I by 2029, scale NLP 2022 multi-modal terminals, and unlock Maritime India Vision 2030.
What an examiner expects to see
- Sagarmala — 839 projects, ₹5.8 lakh crore
- Major ports cargo 819 MT FY24
- Vadhavan port approval June 2024 — ₹76,220 crore
- Vizhinjam Phase-I commissioned 2024
- Major Port Authorities Act 2021
- Maritime India Vision 2030
Concrete cases, schemes and judgments
- Adani group operations at Mundra
- JNPT (now JNPA) container handling
- Inland Waterways NW-1 (Ganga)
- Chabahar Port operations