Sagarmala Project

“Sagarmala Programme” is a program by the “Government of India” that aims to increase the country’s logistics. It aims to advance and modernize the seaports of India thereby leading development to contribute to the nation’s growth. It is important to know from the general knowledge that there are 53 projects sanctioned under the “Sagarmala project” with total fundraising of 570 crores. It is destined to develop the trade sector of the country focusing on the marine trade improving the country’s economy. It is focused on the imports and export centers of the country enhancing the sectors of domestic trade. 

Sagarmala Project- Meaning and Aim 

The “Sagarmala project” aims to develop the marine economy of the country leading to prime development by engrossing the seaports of the country. It is a port-led development that aims to complete 172 projects worth Rs. 88, 235 crores, which has been done and 235 more projects are there on the wish list. Many projects under this scheme are developing and are under construction which are aimed to be completed by 2025. There are many surveys and studies conducted under the “Sagarmala scheme” that expect that by the end of 2025 the cargo traffic in the Indian ports will hold a big capacity of the Indian ports. Various companies including Indian Port Rail Corporation Limited and other government initiatives like the incorporation of “Sagarmala Development Company” are helping in this project. The growth and development of the country from all perspectives also includes the development of ports and trade enhancement.

There are 13 major seaports in the country and 25 notified minor along with intermediate ports with six mega ports that are to be developed under the “Sagarmala project”. The six megaresorts that are to be constructed under this project include the ports from “Kerala”, “Tamil Nadu”, “Maharashtra”, “Karnataka”, “Andhra  Pradesh” and “West Bengal” The project is also aimed to develop the economic trade zones of the country. The concept of this project was initiated by the Union Cabinets chaired by present Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the principles of the institutional framework of the “Sagarmala project”. The prime objective of the project is direct and indirect port-related development. This was made an initiative to improve the conditions of the seaport thereby increasing its efficiency in trade. 

The main aim and objective of the “Sagarmala project” are to promote port-related development, which is both direct and indirect providing good infrastructure to the nation. It also provides an ease in quickly, efficiently and cost-effective transportation of goods and materials from one report to the other and across different nations.  The project focuses on the developing regions with the main economic centers beyond the enhanced connectivity and expansion of rail and road transport. Transportation through the waterways is also made safe and secure under this project. 

However, the “Sagarmala project” addresses the major difficulties in developing and promoting the sea trades in India as below:

• The supporting and development of seaport with appropriate institutional interventions along with initiative from the various ministries of the government to collaborate
• The enhancement of the port infrastructure along with a series of modern advancements and setting up of new ports at different significant locations.
• Efficient evacuation from the hinterland and their place of residence. 

Coastal community development under “Sagarmala project”

The “Sagarmala project” also will enhance the sectors of tourism and coastal area development enhancing and improving the overall infrastructure of the seacoasts. Fisheries will also gain improvement, which is an important occupational activity of the inhabitants. Apart from this, coastal tourism will be promoted with government initiatives. The development of coastal circuits, lighthouses, heritage museum complex, cruise tourism and underwater viewing gallery are some of the development schemes under the Sagarmala project.

The development in and around the area will also construct many new opportunities for jobs and this will also improve the economic conditions of the people within the region. The development of the expressways projects under the major ports with coastal berths and benefits are also included as the development scheme within the project. Moreover, the project demands the overall development of the country focusing on in and around the coastal areas. 

Conclusion

The “Sagarmala project” is based on improving the economy of India and is an initiative by the government. It aims at improving the waterways and to get the blue economy from the same. The project aims at the improvement of trade both direct and indirect to improve the trade sector of the country. It also focuses on the revival of sea trade and journeys and thus is trying to improve the sea journeys making them comfortable like railways, roadways and airways. The coastal economic zones are to be highlighted adding an improvement in the trade and transportation under the main schemes of this project.