Union Cabinet gave approval for the concept and institutional framework of Sagarmala Project

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 March 2015 gave in-principle approval for the concept and institutional framework of Sagarmala Project.

Sagarmala Project’s main objective is to promote port-led direct and indirect development and to provide infrastructure to transport goods to and from ports quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.

It aims at developing access to new development regions with intermodal solutions and promotion of the optimum modal split, enhanced connectivity with main economic centres and beyond through expansion of rail, inland water, coastal and road services.

Three Pillars of Sagarmala Project

• Supporting and enabling Port-led Development through appropriate policy and institutional interventions and providing for an institutional framework for ensuring inter-agency and ministries/departments/states’ collaboration for integrated development
• Port Infrastructure Enhancement, including modernization and setting up of new ports
• Efficient Evacuation to and from hinterland

For a comprehensive and integrated planning for Sagarmala Project

• A National Perspective Plan (NPP) for the entire coastline will be prepared within six months which will identify potential geographical regions to be called Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs).
• The State Governments to set up State Sagarmala Committee to be headed by Chief Minister/Minister in Charge of Ports with members from relevant Departments and agencies.
• Sagarmala Coordination and Steering Committee (SCSC) will be constituted under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary.

National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC)

A National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) is envisaged for overall policy guidance and high level coordination, and to review various aspects of planning and implementation of the plan and projects.

The NSAC will be chaired by the Union Minister of Shipping, with Cabinet Ministers from stakeholder Ministries and Chief Ministers/Ministers in charge of ports of maritime states as members.

This committee, while providing policy direction and guidance for the initiative’s implementation, shall approve the overall National Perspective Plan (NPP) and review the progress of implementation of these plans.

Sagarmala Development Company (SDC)

The Sagarmala Development Company (SDC) at the Union Government level will be set up under the Companies Act, 1956. It will assist the state level/zone level Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), as well as SPVs to be set up by the ports, with equity support for implementation of projects to be undertaken by them.

Activities to be undertaken under Sagarmala project

• Port-led industrialization
• Port based urbanization
• Port based and coastal tourism and recreational activities
• Short-sea shipping coastal shipping and Inland Waterways Transportation
• Ship building, ship repair and ship recycling
• Logistics parks, warehousing, maritime zones/services
• Integration with hinterland hubs
• Offshore storage, drilling platforms
• Specialization of ports in certain economic activities such as energy, containers, chemicals, coal, agro products, etc
• Offshore Renewable Energy Projects with base ports for installations
• Modernizing the existing ports and development of new ports