Parliament Question: Status of CMAS

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2875 ANSWERED ON 17.03.2026 STATUS OF CMAS 2875. DR. SIKANDER KUMAR: Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the current status of ₹ 10,000 crore Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) announced in Budget 2026-27 and the timeline for establishing a domestic manufacturing ecosystem to reduce annual ₹ 6 lakh crore freight outflow; (b) whether Government has launched Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to double the freight share of coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047; and (c) the timeline for operationalising 20 new National Waterways announced in Budget and the steps taken to address persistent bottlenecks like seasonal water fluctuations and silting that limit current operational capacity to only 25-30 per cent? ANSWER MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL) (a) The Government in Budget Speech 2026-27 has announced a Scheme for container manufacturing in India with a budget outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore aimed at creating globally competitive container manufacturing ecosystem in the country through financial incentives to support establishment and expansion of container manufacturing units. Ministry has initiated the process of appraisal of the Scheme. (b) Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme has been announced in Union Budget 2026–27 aimed at incentivising a modal shift of cargo from rail and road to waterways, strengthening sustainable and cost-effective logistics in the country. (c) The 20 new National Waterways announced in Budget 2026-27 are scheduled for operationalization by 2030-31. To tackle the seasonal water fluctuations and silting, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous organisation under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, carries out fairway maintenance works through dredging and bandalling to ensure the availability of Least Available Depth (LAD). *****