Sagarmala Programme: Latest Developments

Under Sagarmala Programme,  415 projects, at an estimated investment of approximately  Rs.8 Lac Crore, have been identified across port modernization & new port development, port connectivity enhancement, port-linked industrialization and coastal community development for phase wise implementation over the period 2015 to 2035.

As per the approved implementation plan of Sagarmala Programme, these projects are to be taken up by the relevant Central Ministries/Agencies and State Governments preferably through private/PPP mode.

As part of the Sagarmala Programme, 6 new port locations have been identified, namely – Vadhavan, Enayam, Sagar Island, Paradip Outer Harbour, Sirkazhi and Belekeri. The current status of each of the proposed new port locations is as follows:

S.No. New Port Location State Present Status
1. Sagar Island West Bengal Approval obtained for setting up Major Port at Sagar Island. DPR prepared.Viability being re-examined in view of announcement of new port at Tajpur by State Govt. of West Bengal.
2. Paradip Outer Harbour Odisha DPR under preparation.
3. Sirkhazi Tamil Nadu Techno Economic Feasibility Report(TEFR) prepared.
4. Enayam Tamil Nadu In principle approval  obtained for setting up Major Port at Enayam. DPR under preparation.
5. Belikeri Karnataka Techno Economic Feasibility Report (TEFR) prepared.
6. Vadhavan Maharashtra DPR under preparation.

Increasing the share of coastal shipping and inland navigation  in the transport modal mix is one of the key objectives of the Sagarmala Programme.

In order to equip ports for movement of coastal cargo, the scope of coastal berth scheme has been expanded and merged with Sagarmala Programme.

Under the scheme, the financial assistance of 50% of  project cost is provided to  Major Ports/State Governments for construction of Coastal Berths,  Breakwater, mechanization of coastal berths and capital dredging. Rs. 152 Cr has been released for 16 projects under this scheme.

In addition, Cabotage has been relaxed for a period of 5 years for specialized vessels like RO-RO, RO-PAX etc.

To augment transhipment capacity in the country, Vizhinjam (Kerala) and Enayam (Tamil Nadu) are being developed as transhipment ports.

Vizhinjam is being developed as transhipment hub under PPP mode by Government of Kerala with Viability Gap Funding from Government of India.

In principle approval has been obtained for setting up a Major Port at Enayam and its DPR is under preparation.