He said that
the Sagarmala Program, a showpiece project that has accelerated growth along
the nation’s coasts, is a crucial component of this change.
“To develop our projects, we are
collaborating with private players and coastal states,”Sonowal stated, pointing out that modernization and
digitization have made projects from Gujarat to Bengal successful.
Global
measures show that this progress has been made. A recent World Bank performance
index study, which Sonowal quoted, revealed that India’s standing had improved
considerably, with container turnaround times falling from 44 to 22 hours. He
went on to say, “Our growth is exemplary.”
Speaking about India’s 2.4% present share of the
world’s container traffic, Sonowal underlined efforts to boost domestic
container production in order to satisfy demand. He promised that during the
next 25 years, India hopes to be among the top 10 maritime nations in the world
and that “in the coming days, our country will begin producing containers
locally.”
Sonowal also presented a daring plan for India’s
shipbuilding sector, aiming to rank in the top five worldwide within the next
ten years. He added that India has made
significant investments in its maritime sector and that it will start building
ports in Sri Lanka
He stated that the Indian economy would benefit
greatly from the “network we are building to handle
300 metric tonnes of containers annually.” He added that
partnerships with nations like Russia and Iran are opening the door to more
connectivity and trade.
“With the Indo-Myanmar Friendship
Port and plans for additional ports in Sri Lanka, India is strengthening its
position in regional and global maritime networks,” he stated in reference to the unstable situation in
Bangladesh and Myanmar. He reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to uphold
the connections.
Sonowal underlined that rivers, ports, and shipping
are generating employment possibilities throughout India. “This ministry
plays a crucial role in supporting India’s rapidly expanding economy from
bottom up,” he stated.He reaffirmed his dedication to India’s
maritime advancement in his closing remarks. “We have to demonstrate to the world that India’s
waterways can support its prosperity. Our waterways need to be kept clean.“