Why in News
  • The Sagarmala Programme has shown major progress:
    • 845 projects worth ₹6.06 lakh crore
    • 315 projects completed worth ₹1.57 lakh crore
  • India’s major ports handled:
    • Record 915 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2025–26
  • Sagarmala 2.0 announced with:
    • ₹85,482 crore budget support
    • ₹3.6 lakh crore expected investment

BACKGROUND: INDIA’S MARITIME IMPORTANCE

  • India has:
    • 11,099 km coastline
    • 14,500 km navigable waterways
  • Trade dependence:
    • 95% by volume
    • 70% by value through maritime routes
  • Port structure:
    • 12 major ports (central government)
    • 200+ non-major ports (state governments)
  • Ports handle:
    • Crude oil, coal, containers, fertilizers, agricultural goods

ABOUT SAGARMALA PROGRAM

SAGARMALA PROGRAM: TRANSFORMING INDIA’S MARITIME SECTOR explained for UPSC
  • Launched in 2015
  • Main aim:
    • Port-led development
Key Objectives
  • Improve logistics efficiency
  • Reduce transportation cost
  • Promote coastal shipping and inland waterways
  • Encourage public and private investment

PILLARS OF THE PROGRAM

SAGARMALA PROGRAM: TRANSFORMING INDIA’S MARITIME SECTOR explained for UPSC
  • Port led Industrialisation
  • Port Modernisation
  • Port Connectivity
  • Coastal Community development
  • Coastal Shipping & IWT
(1) Port Modernization and New Port Development
  • Upgrade existing ports
  • Develop new ports
  • Introduce mechanisation and digital systems
(2) Port Connectivity Enhancement
  • Improve connectivity between ports and hinterland
  • Develop multimodal transport (road, rail, waterways)
(3) Port-Led Industrialization
  • Develop industrial clusters near ports
  • Reduce logistics cost for industries
(4) Coastal Community Development
  • Improve livelihoods in coastal areas
  • Promote fisheries, tourism and skill development
(5) Coastal Shipping and Inland Waterways
  • Promote cost-effective transport
  • Reduce congestion on roads and railways

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

(A) Project Status
  • Total projects: 845
  • Completed: 315
  • Under implementation: 210
  • Under planning: 320
(B) Infrastructure Development
  • Fishing harbours:
    • 11 projects completed
    • Benefit to 30,000+ fishermen
  • Coastal berths:
    • 7 projects completed
    • Added 9.84 MTPA capacity
(C) Port Performance
  • Cargo handled:
    • 915.17 million tonnes (FY 2025–26)
  • Growth:
    • 7.06% increase
  • Turnaround time:
    • Reduced from 96 hours (2014) to 49.5 hours (2025)
SAGARMALA PROGRAM: TRANSFORMING INDIA’S MARITIME SECTOR explained for UPSC (D) Global Ranking
  • 9 Indian ports in top 100 globally
  • Visakhapatnam Port among top 20
(E) Inland Waterways
  • Cargo increased from:
    • 18.1 MTPA to 145.5 MTPA
  • Growth of around 700%

PASSENGER & TRANSPORT CONNECTIVITY

Ro-Pax and Ferry Services
  • 29 projects launched (₹1,233 crore)
  • 17 projects completed
  • 35 lakh passengers benefited
Examples
  • Ghogha–Hazira:
    • Travel time reduced from 10 hours to 4 hours
  • Mumbai–Mandwa:
    • Distance reduced from 109 km to 18.5 km

COASTAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

  • Skill development under DDU-GKY
  • 7,600+ people trained
  • 3,100+ people placed
Employment Potential
  • Total: 1 crore jobs
    • 40 lakh direct
    • 60 lakh indirect

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC)
  • Provides policy guidance
Maritime States Development Council (MSDC)
  • Ensures coordination between Centre and States
State Sagarmala Committees (SSCs)
  • Identify and monitor projects
Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL)
  • Maritime-focused NBFC
  • Provides financing support
  • ₹4,300 crore loan sanctions (2025)

SAGARMALA 2.0

Objective
  • Make India a global maritime hub
Focus Areas
  • Port modernization
  • Connectivity
  • Inland waterways
  • Coastal development
  • Sustainability
Financial Plan
  • Budget support: ₹85,482 crore
  • Total investment: ₹3.6 lakh crore
Vision Alignment
  • Maritime India Vision 2030
  • Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047