This document pertains to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2172, answered on 12.12.2025, concerning the development of mega port clusters. The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (Shri Sarbananda Sonowal) states that the Maritime India Vision 2030 aims to develop the Chennai-Kamarajar-Cuddalore cluster into a mega port on the eastern coast by 2047, targeting a cargo handling capacity of over 300 million tonnes per annum. Under the Sagarmala Programme's port modernization initiative, 234 projects have been undertaken for implementation at a cost of Rs. 2,89,427 Cr., of which 106 projects worth Rs. 32,675 Cr. have been completed, and 56 projects worth Rs. 74,743 Cr. are under implementation. The government's key initiative includes modernizing Chennai, Ennore (Kamarajar), and Tuticorin (VO Chidambaranar) ports, investing in infrastructure connectivity (rail and road), and leveraging strategic location, deep-draft ports, and policy support to position Tamil Nadu as a key maritime hub in Asia.
Key Entities Referenced
Sagarmala Programme: A programme for port-led development in India, with a Port Modernization pillar under which numerous projects are being undertaken.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The central ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways development.
Maritime India Vision 2030: A vision document that envisions the development of the Chennai-Kamarajar-Cuddalore cluster as a mega port by 2047.
Chennai-Kamarajar-Cuddalore cluster: A port cluster being developed into a mega port.
Tamil Nadu: The state on the eastern coast of India, targeted to become a key maritime hub in Asia.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2172
ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF MEGA PORTS CLUSTERS
2172. DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) whether the Government has plans to develop the Chennai-Kamarajar-Cuddalore
cluster, one among the six port clusters as mega ports cluster by 2047, if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether it is a fact that 234 projects of modernization under Sagarmala, at cost of
Rs. 2,91,622 Cr. have been undertaken for implementation, if so, the details thereof
indicating the number and cost of completed and under development projects; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to take steps to make the eastern coast in Tamil
Nadu as a Port and Shipping hub in Asia, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons
therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) Maritime India Vision 2030 envisions Chennai-Kamarajar-Cuddalore cluster to
become Mega Port in the eastern coast by 2047. This cluster is targeted to achieve a
cargo handling capacity of over 300 million tonners per annum by the year 2047.
(b) Under the Port Modernization pillar of Sagarmala Programme, a total of 234
projects at cost of Rs. 2,89,427Cr. have been undertaken for implementation and out of
234 projects, 106 projects worth Rs. 32,675Cr. have been completed and 56 projects
worth Rs. 74,743 Cr. are under implementation.
(c) The key initiative of Government includes Port Modernisation of Chennai, Ennore
(Kamarajar), and Tuticorin (VO Chidambaranar) ports, and investment in infrastructure
connectivity such as rail and road linkages. Further, strategic location, deep-draft ports,
and policy support aim to position Tamil Nadu as a key maritime hub in Asia.
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