Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, conducted a complete review of maritime operations and key infrastructure projects during a high-level meeting with senior officials in Mumbai today.
In light of the prevailing security and logistical situation, the Minister directed all concerned departments to maintain "business as usual" and ensure continuous cargo movement across ports.
Top officials from major organizations 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 strategic review.
During the session, Sonowal also took stock of the progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat — one of the Ministry’s flagship initiatives aimed at rejoicing India’s maritime legacy.
The Minister held detailed deliberations with the CMD and directors of the SCI to evaluate current operations, plans for fleet augmentation, and the long-term roadmap under the government’s Vision 2047. Emphasizing SCI’s role as a national strategic asset, he emphasised its importance in bolstering India’s maritime self-reliance and global competitiveness.
A focused review of the Greenfield Mega Port project at Vadhavan was assumed with JNPA Chairman Unmesh Wagh and senior officials.
Sonowal stressed the importance of fast-tracking the port’s development in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of positioning India as a leading maritime power.
In a separate meeting with IPGL Chairman Sunil Mukundan, the Union Minister assessed the company’s international ventures, including progress on the Chabahar Port in Iran and Sittwe Port in Myanmar. Both projects are crucial to expanding India’s maritime footprint and enhancing regional connectivity.
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The Minister also reviewed critical rail infrastructure projects with IPRCL Chairman M.K. Semwal. Discussions focused on improving port-rail connectivity, particularly in support of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) operations in Assam and boosting logistics capabilities across major ports. Shri Sonowal urged the agency to expedite rail projects in response to increasing cargo demands.
Sonowal met members of the newly reconstituted National Shipping Board (NSB), welcoming its Chairperson and members. He emphasized the board’s strategic advisory role in maritime policymaking and expressed confidence in its contribution toward shaping India's maritime future.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are committed to tapping the vast potential of the blue economy. Our teams are aligned to realize the Prime Minister’s vision of transforming India into a Viksit Bharat through maritime leadership,” the Minister stated after the meetings.
Secretary (Ports, Shipping and Waterways) Shri T.K. Ramachandran and Joint Secretary (Ports) R. Lakshmanan were also present and participated in the high-level deliberations.
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