In response to ensuring business continuity and normal cargo operations, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, convened comprehensive review meetings with officials on May 9th, 2025. This meeting aimed at overseeing key maritime projects and confirming operational smoothness across various entities under the Ministry. These include institutions like the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd. (IPRCL), Indian Port Global Ltd. (IPGL), Directorate General of Shipping, and Mumbai Port Authority.
A crucial review was conducted on the progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, a Ministry flagship project. Interaction with the top executives from SCI focused on matters such as fleet development, expansion strategies aligned with Vision 2047, and advancements in maritime self-reliance through capacity enhancement. The review also included planning for the Greenfield Mega Port project at Vadhavan and progress in international projects like Chabahar Port in Iran and Sittwe Port in Myanmar.
Moreover, discussions centered on IPRCL operations to prioritize development of port-linked rail tracks given increasing cargo volume demands. With the newly constituted National Shipping Board (NSB), Minister Sonowal underlined its pivotal role in formulating policies that contribute to India's maritime future. Secretary Ports and other officials from Ports and Waterways Department actively participated in high-level evaluations, showcasing ongoing commitment towards realizing a stronger maritime sector envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The overarching objective was highlighted as part of the nation's strategic efforts towards enhancing maritime capabilities, realizing their full potential under PM Modi’s leadership for achieving 'Vistik Bharat', or "Prosperous India".
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: A government ministry overseeing port, shipping, and waterway related activities.
Sarbananda Sonowal: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Mumbai: City where review meetings were held.
Shipping Corporation of India SCI: Major organisation under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; India's strategic national shipping line.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority JNPA: Major organisation under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd. IPRCL: Major organisation under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Indian Port Global Ltd. IPGL: Major organisation under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Directorate General of Shipping: Major organisation under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Mumbai Port Authority: Major organisation under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
National Maritime Heritage Complex NMHC: Flagship initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways at Lothal, Gujarat.
Lothal, Gujarat: Location of the National Maritime Heritage Complex.
Vision 2047: Government's long-term expansion strategies aligned with maritime self-reliance and capacity enhancement.
Vadhavan: Location of the Greenfield Mega Port project.
Unmesh Wagh: Chairman of JNPA.
Chabahar Port: Key project in Iran that aims to expand India’s maritime footprint internationally.
Sittwe Port: Key project in Myanmar that aims to expand India’s maritime footprint internationally.
Sunil Mukundan: Chairman of IPGL.
M.K. Semwal: Chairman of IPRCL.
IWAI: Inland Waterways Authority of India (inferred from context of IPRCL operations in Assam).
Assam: Location of IWAI operations supported by IPRCL.
National Shipping Board NSB: Newly constituted board providing strategic policy guidance for India's maritime future.
Shri Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India.
Viksit Bharat: Vision of PM Modi to transform India.
T.K. Ramachandran: Secretary Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
R. Lakshmanan: Joint Secretary Ports.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal conducts
Comprehensive Review of Key Maritime Projects
Sarbananda Sonowal reviews measures to ensure
normal movement of cargo; directs officials to ensure
business as usual
Posted On: 09 MAY 2025 8:05PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal conducted extensive review
meetings with officials in Mumbai, today. Considering the prevailing situation, the Union Minister took stock
of key maritime projects and directed the officials to ensure that the business remains normal. Shri Sonowal
also reviewed measures to be taken to ensure smooth and regular movement of cargo operations.
Major organisations under the Ministry, including the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI),
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd. (IPRCL),
Indian Port Global Ltd. (IPGL), Directorate General of Shipping, and Mumbai Port Authority
participated in the day-long meeting.
The Union Minister also reviewed the progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)
at Lothal, Gujarat, one of the Ministry’s flagship initiatives.In a detailed interaction with the CMD and directors of SCI, the Union Minister reviewed current
operations, fleet augmentation, and long-term expansion strategies aligned with the government’s
Vision 2047. SCI, as India’s strategic national shipping line, plays a pivotal role in advancing
maritime self-reliance and capacity enhancement.
An in-depth review of the Greenfield Mega Port project at Vadhavan was held with JNPA Chairman
Unmesh Wagh and senior officials. The Minister stressed the need to fast-track development of the
port, citing the Prime Minister’s vision of making India a global maritime leader.
The Union Minister also met, IPGL Chairman Sunil Mukundan to assess the company’s global
performance. The discussions included the progress and future plans for Chabahar Port in Iran and
Sittwe Port in Myanmar, key projects that aim to expand India’s maritime footprint internationally.
A separate meeting was held with IPRCL Chairman M.K. Semwal and senior management to
assess progress on critical rail connectivity projects, particularly those supporting IWAI operations in
Assam and infrastructure across major ports. The Minister urged IPRCL, to prioritise development
of port-linked rail tracks in view of rising cargo volumes.
In addition, the Union Minister interacted with the newly constituted National Shipping Board (NSB),
welcoming its Chairperson and members, Shri Sonowal emphasised the board’s strategic role in
policy guidance and expressed confidence in its contribution to shaping India’s maritime future.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are working towards
unearthing opportunities of the blue economy and enable our maritime sector to step up to become
a major force in the world. All our agencies, organisations and teams are working towards
realisation of this vision of PM Modi to transform our country as Viksit Bharat. We met to review our
key projects and take measures towards swift realisation of these maritime goals,” the Shri Sonowal
said.
Secretary (Ports, Shipping and Waterways), Shri T.K. Ramachandran; Joint Secretary (Ports), Shri
R. Lakshmanan were also present and participated in high-level deliberations.
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GDH/HR
(Release ID: 2127977)