Number of Sagarmala projects likely to double in 2018-19

Kolkata: A senior official of shipping ministry informed on Friday that the number of projects in Sagarmala Project, a unique programme for promoting port-led development in India, is likely to double in the ongoing fiscal.

K K Aggarwal, joint secretary (Sagarmala Project) at Sagarmala Cell of the shipping ministry said, “The vision of Sagarmala was to reduce logistic cost for EXIM and domestic trade with minimal infrastructure investment. Port-led Development includes Port modernisation, port connectivity, port-led industrialisation and coastal community development.”

Speaking at a workshop on “Challenges in the Maritime and Logistics Industry” organised by The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I) he added, “Skill gap study of 21 coastal districts has been completed and domain ministries and state governments have been asked to implement district action plans.”

Mr Aggarwal elaborated, “The Sagarmala programme aims to synchronise works by over 60 implementation agencies for a coordinated port development. Till now 59 projects have been completed of Rs 11299 crores and 162 projects under implementation. The number of project completions are expected to double in current financial year.”

BCC&I shipping committee chairperson Capt. S.B. Mazumder said, “The objective of the workshop was to provide realistic knowledge on the developments taking place in India in the Maritime & Logistics Sectors.” and to understand the Challenges being faced by the maritime and logistics industries.”

He added, “Besides, an important area covered in this workshop was “Safety of our Indian Coastline” and the objective of covering this topic is to highlight to the audience on the safety of our Indian Coastlines.”

Capt. Mazumder mentioned, “Apart from the above, the workshop is covering another important area which is protection and indemnity (P & I) of the ship owners and this is done by a Standard P & I Club. The objective of covering this topic was to highlight the operations and activities carried/undertaken by a Standard P & I Club for the benefit of the shipping fraternity.”