Parliament Question: Port-led industrialisation and logistics connectivity

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3672 ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026 PORT-LED INDUSTRIALISATION AND LOGISTICS CONNECTIVITY 3672.SHRI IRANNA KADADI: Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYSbe pleased to state: (a) the initiatives undertaken to enhance port-led industrialisation and logistics connectivity from Belagavi to the New Mangalore Port and Goa ports; (b) whether the systematic development of coastal economic zones (CEZs) has effectively driven manufacturing growth in the hinterland; (c) the details of investments successfully grounded in port modernisation and mechanisation in Karnataka; (d) the measurable reduction in cargo evacuation time achieved through improved last- mile rail and road connectivity to these ports; and (e) the steps taken to develop dedicated mega-ship repair and shipbuilding hubs along the Karnataka coastline? ANSWER MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL) (a) New Mangalore Port(NMP) is connected to Belagavi through two rail routes - via Goa and via Arsikere-Hassan. Ministry of Railways has been requested to undertakeHubli- Ankola rail line project to shorten the route between NMP and Belagavi. As regards the road connectivity,NMP is well connected to Belagavi by National Highway (NH)-66, NH-52 and NH-48. (b) 14 Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) have been identified under the Sagarmala Programme to promote port-led industrial development.Dakshin Kannada CEZ is one of the CEZs being served by the NMP. This region has presence of petrochemical unitsthat have witnessed growth due to large EXIM vessels berthing at NMP. (c) In the state of Karnataka,a total of 9 projects have been completed for port modernization at the NMPcovering capacity expansion, new infrastructure, mechanization, technology upgradation and allotment of land for port led industries. The details of these projectsareplaced at Annexure-I.In addition, Karnataka Maritime Board has also undertaken various initiatives for modernisation, mechanization and development across the other than major ports in the state of Karnataka.Thisincludes berths at Karwar port, Old Mangalore port (Bengre and City Side), and Malpe port in PPP mode, development of Pavinakurve, Manki and Padubidri ports, Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS) and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code at Karwar port. (d) Under Sagarmala programme,a total of 24 rail and road connectivity projects costing Rs. 44,433 crorehave been undertakenin the state of Karnatakaout of which,4projects costing Rs. 414 crore have been completed. These completed projects at NMP have significantly reduced cargo evacuation time, especially in the case of cargo like coal and iron ore. (e) The Union Cabinet, in its meeting held on 24.09.2025, approved Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) for capacity and capability development for shipbuilding in India. The scheme with a corpus of ₹19,989 crore is designed to accelerate India’s shipbuilding capacity through targeted interventions for new infrastructure, modernization of existing facilities, and risk mitigation. One of the key component of scheme is capital support for greenfield clusters for which ₹9,930 crore is allocated to create multiple shipbuilding clustersequipped with common maritime infrastructure such as breakwaters, channel and basin development, land reclamation, internal connectivity, and regional capability development centres. Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways has informed all the coastal states including Karnataka, requesting them to initiate necessary steps to establish greenfield shipbuilding clusters in their respective states as per scheme guidelines. The state of Karnataka is required to carry out requisite studies, formulate proposal for submission to implementing agency of the scheme i.e. Directorate General of Shipping, to process for further approval of the competent authority.Annexure-I Total cost Sl. No Name of Project (in crore) Construction of berth 18 in western dock Arm at New Mangalore 1 94.00 Port (NMP) 2 Implementation of RFID at NMP 6.17 3 Mechanisation of Berth 16 for handling bulk cargo at NMP 469.00 Development of 30 acres of stack yard and ancillary roads for 4 22.00 parking of Ro-Ro cargoes and cars - NMP 5 Implementation of Mobile X-Ray Container Scanner at NMP 40.00 Mechanization of Berth 14 and Backup area for handling Container 6 258.00 Terminal at NMP Installation of Fire Fighting Equipment at Karwar Port in 7 18.21 Karnataka 8 Mechanised handling of coal at berth no.15 at NMP 230 Land allotment to private sector on lease for setting up port-led 9 1198 industries at NMP Total 2,335 *****