**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2169 on August 1, 2025, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways addressed the progress and impact of port development projects under the Sagarmala initiative. Sagarmala, a central sector scheme, aims to foster port-led development by leveraging India's extensive coastline and navigable waterways. The Ministry provides financial assistance to State/UT Governments for various projects, including port infrastructure, coastal berths, road and rail connectivity, fishing harbors, skill development, coastal community development, cruise terminals, and RoPax ferry services. As of August 1, 2025, the Ministry has undertaken 121 projects with partial funding under the Sagarmala Scheme, totaling a cost of Rs. 9415 Cr., with 77 projects completed. Impact assessments are conducted by independent third-party evaluators, as per Ministry of Finance guidelines, at the end of each Finance Commission Cycle. To promote multi-modal connectivity, the government has adopted a strategic approach under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), launched in October 2021, to integrate infrastructure planning and execution. Furthermore, the "Harit Sagar; Green Port Guidelines" have been issued to guide Major Ports in implementing green initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and develop an environmentally friendly ecosystem, aligning with global standards. The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, provided the response.
Key Entities Referenced
Sagarmala Project: Flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to promote port-led development in India.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
Bharatmala Pariyojana: A centrally-sponsored and funded road and highways project in India.
Dedicated Freight Corridor DFC: A high speed and high capacity railway freight corridor being built in India.
Inland Waterways: Navigable rivers and canals used for transportation within India.
Ministry of Railways: The Indian government ministry responsible for railways.
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan NMP: A national master plan launched in October 2021 to integrate infrastructure planning, sanctioning and execution across various MinistriesDepartmentsstate governments.
Harit Sagar; Green Port Guidelines: Guidelines issued by the government to promote green initiatives and reduce carbon emissions at major ports.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2169
ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
PORTS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UNDER SAGARMALA
2169. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन एवं जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ालय
(a) the number of port development projects completed by the Government under the
"Sagarmala Project";
(b) the manner in which the social and environmental impact of the said project has been
evaluated;
(c) the strategic steps taken by the Government to promote "Multi Modal Connectivity" in
Coordination with Bharatmala Pariyojana Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), Inland
Waterways and the Ministry of Railways;
(d) the green initiatives taken by the Government to reduce carbon emissions at ports;
and
(e) whether the said initiatives match the global standards, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) Sagarmala is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping
and Waterways to promote port-led development in the country through harnessing
lndia's 7,500 km long coastline, and 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways. Under
the Sagarmala Scheme, the Ministry provides financial assistance to State/UT
Governments for Port infrastructure projects, Coastal berth projects, Road & Rail
projects, fishing harbours, skill development projects, Coastal community development,
cruise terminal and projects such as Ro-Pax ferry services. Ministry has till date
undertaken 121 project at a total Cost of Rs. 9415 Cr. for partial funding under Sagarmala
Scheme. Out of these, 77 projects have been completed till date.
(b) In terms of guidelines of Ministry of Finance, there is a provision of impact
assessment of the scheme by independent third party evaluator at the end of Finance
Commission Cycle.(c) The Government has adopted a strategic approach under the PM Gati Shakti
National Master Plan (NMP), which was launched in October 2021 to integrate
infrastructure planning, sanctioning and execution across various
Ministries/Departments/state governments.
(d) and (e) The Government has issued ‘Harit Sagar; Green Port Guidelines which lays
down framework for Major Ports to take various green initiatives to reduce carbon
intensity and to develop an environmental friendly ecosystem at Major Ports in alignment
with global standards.
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