Maha seeks priority approval for Sagarmala 2.0 projects; Rane meets Sonowal
New Delhi, July 29
Maharashtra Minister for Fisheries and Ports, Nitesh Rane on Wednesday met Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi and urged the Central Government to accord priority approval to Maharashtra's proposals under the Sagarmala 2.0 programme.
During the meeting, Minister Rane submitted a representation seeking expeditious clearance of the projects proposed by the Maharashtra Government under the flagship programme, emphasising that their timely implementation would significantly accelerate port-led development and strengthen the State's maritime ecosystem.
The proposed projects envisage the modernisation of fishing harbours, development of coastal infrastructure, enhancement of multimodal logistics connectivity, promotion of coastal shipping and inland waterways, and expansion of maritime tourism.
Minister Rane highlighted that these initiatives would generate substantial employment opportunities, attract private investment and provide a strong impetus to Maharashtra's coastal economy, said the government release.
The Maharashtra Maritime Board has already submitted comprehensive project proposals in accordance with the framework prescribed under Sagarmala 2.0. Noting that the proposals are aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Minister Rane requested the Union Government to consider them on priority.
The proposals submitted by the state cover five major development verticals. Port modernisation and expansion; fisheries infrastructure; coastal connectivity and logistics; inland waterways & water transport and marine tourism.
The state government proposes to upgrade minor and intermediate ports along Maharashtra's ~720 km coastline to enhance overall cargo handling capacities, modernise fishing harbours, jetties, and fish landing centres to strengthen coastal livelihoods and rural economies, enhance last-mile road/rail links to ports and integrating coastal shipping into industrial supply chains, accelerate coastal water transport networks, including eco-friendly/electric water mobility and feeder routes and develop infrastructure for coastal cruises, passenger terminals, and waterfront tourism hubs, said the release.
Expressing confidence in the Centre's continued support, Minister Rane said that early approval of the proposals would significantly strengthen Maharashtra's port infrastructure, fisheries sector and coastal economy while reinforcing the State's position as a leading maritime hub.
He reiterated the Maharashtra Government's commitment to advancing sustainable, integrated and port-led economic development through strategic investments in maritime infrastructure.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative but I hope they prioritise sustainable development. Coastal ecosystems are fragile - we've seen what happened with some port expansions in Gujarat. "Eco-friendly water mobility" sounds promising but needs strict environmental oversight. Let's develop without destroying our beaches and mangroves 🌊
About time! Our inland waterways are completely neglected compared to road/rail. Imagine coastal shipping from Mumbai to Mangalore taking pressure off highways. Also, fishing harbour modernisation is critical - our fishermen still use outdated infrastructure. Pragmatic request from Rane ji.
Interesting to see this push for coastal tourism. As someone who loves Konkan beaches, proper terminals and ferry services would make weekends so much easier. But please ensure local communities benefit directly from the investment, not just big corporates.
While I appreciate the vision, I hope Rane ji also addresses the ground-level issues. Our minor ports near Alibaug and Revdanda are in pathetic state - no proper roads leading to them, no cold storage for fish catch. Infrastructure is not just about big ships but also about small fishing communities 🙏
Sagarmala 2.0 seems like a well-thought-out programme. The verticals covering port modernisation, logistics, and tourism make sense. Maharashtra could become a gateway for western India's trade. Let's see how quickly the bureaucracy moves - that's always the real challenge in our country 🇮🇳
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