Sagarmala Project – Objective, Launch Date, Sagarmala Scheme in India
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 20th, 2023
Sagarmala Project is a government scheme that was launched on July 31st, 2015, in order to boost the logistics sector of the country. The Sagarmala Project comes under the Ministry of Shipping, and it is indeed the most pioneering project initiated by the government of India to boost connectivity among the ports of India. The main aim of the Sagarmala Project was to address all the problems faced by the Indian ports and make them better.
With over 7,500 kilometers of coastline and a strategic location in the global maritime trade network, the Sagarmala Project aims to leverage India’s maritime advantages to propel the nation towards sustainable and inclusive development. This article delves into the core objectives, key components, and significant impact of the Sagarmala Project.
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What is Sagarmala Project?
The Sagarmala Project is a one of the phenomenal governement schemes that aims to connect the major ports of India. This project was introduced with the vision of reducing the logistical costs for domestic and cargo by having an advanced infrastructure.
Sgarmala Project Notes
The Sagarmala Project aims to harness about 7500 km of coastline to enhance its economic prospects, and it can be seen on the Sagarmala Project map as well. Apart from this, the Sagarmala program also intends to increase and create a developed infrastructure to transport goods using force more efficiently and effectively.
Latest News about Sagarmala Project
After 2015, again in January 2021, the Sagarmala Project came into focus with its latest updates by introducing a special service called the Sagarmala SeaPlane Services.
- This amazing and ambitious Sagarmala Project is launched by Sagarmala Development Company Limited under the special purpose vehicle framework.
- The aim of introducing these Sagarmala Seaplane Services is to facilitate the population with hassle-free travel across the country through waterways with the seaplanes.
- Sagarmala Project was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on the route between Kevadia and the Sabarmati River Front.
Objectives of Sagarmala Project
Reducing the cost of logistics for EXIM is the primary objective of the Sagarmala Project. The other objectives are as follows.
- To identify the upcoming industrial capacities near the coastline to cut down on the cost of logistics for bulk commodities.
- An objective of the Sagarmala Project is to develop a discrete manufacturing cluster that will be situated nearby sports in order to enhance the competition in the export of goods.
- Optimize the timing for import and export container movement.
- Another objective of the Sagarmala Project was to create 40 new direct jobs and 60 indirect jobs for youth in this field.
Features of Sagarmala Project
The Sagarmala program was launched by the ministry of shipping on July 31st, 2015. The key features of this project were:
- The total expenditure allotted for this Sagarmala Project is over 4 crores. It has 150 initiatives in four areas, which are: improving the port connectivity; upgrading the existing infrastructure; creating 14 coastal economic zones as well as a special economic zone, and training the existing fisherman and other coastal communities to create job opportunities.
- A company called Sagarmala Development Company was formed to fulfil the purpose of the Sagarmala Project in 2016.
- To reduce India’s dependency on foreign nations for technology, the centre for inland and coastal maritime technology has also been set up at IIT Kharagpur.
Components of the Sagarmala Project
Sagarmala Project is built on the foundation of integrated planning, connectivity enhancement, and sustainable development, with a focus on creating synergy among various components such as:
- Port Modernization and New Port Development: Expand the capacity of existing ports, and develop new greenfield ports.
- Port Connectivity Enhancement: Enhance and improve the links between inland and the Port and also develop the domestic waterways.
- Port-Linked Industrialization: Develop the industries nearby the force and reduce the cost of Logistics for domestic operations.
- Coastal Community Development: Providing fire-safety training projects for workers which are directly funded by the project and focus on improving the lifestyle of employees by providing proper training and skills.
- Coastal Shipping and Inland Waterways Transport: Moving the cargo in an easy manner such that it does not create any harm to the environment and promotes the sustainability of industrialization.
Issues related to Sagarmala Project
As with any large-scale infrastructure project, the Sagarmala Project faces a range of complex challenges and concerns as follows.
- The Sagarmala Project connects the ports of different cities in India, which is a very costly project.
- The turnaround time taken is about 4 days, which is about 2 days at the global level. Hence, the Sagarmala Project is a gamechanger in the field of logistics as it cuts down the turnaround time and costs related to it.
- Apart from the turnaround time, the last mile connectivity is also an issue for Sagarmala Project, as it is necessary to ensure the easy movement of cargo, which will eventually lead to economic growth and increased productivity.
- The participation of inland waterways cargo is reduced as it counts up to only 6%, which is much less than other countries like China, the USA, etc.
Significance of Sagarmala Project
Launched in 2015, this project aims to transform India’s maritime sector by modernizing ports, improving logistics infrastructure. The Sagarmala Project is of great significance to India’s coastal line as:
- It improves the condition of the population living near the coastal areas.
- Sagarmala Project helps people by providing them with employment opportunities.
- It boosts the various sectors of Indian economy and global supply chain and improves its reputation at the global level.
- Sagarmala Project helps to improve and foster the businesses and, eventually, the economy of India.
Sagarmala Project UPSC
Current affairs and especially the government schemes are important to keep in count when you are appearing for the Civil Services Exam. Sagarmala Project, as kept on updating by the government, becomes important to learn from the current affairs section and important for the Prelims paper and GS-3 paper. Also, for an effective UPSC exam preparation and to stay updated with various other current affairs-related topics candidates need to use the best UPSC study material.
Sagarmala Project MCQs
Question: The Sagarmala Project aims to develop which sector in India? a) Education b) Healthcare c) Maritime d) Agriculture
Answer: c) Maritime
Question: Which ministry is responsible for implementing the Sagarmala Project in India? a) Ministry of Transport b) Ministry of Shipping c) Ministry of Commerce and Industry d) Ministry of Finance
Answer: b) Ministry of Shipping
Question: The Sagarmala Project primarily focuses on developing which types of infrastructure? a) Highways and roads b) Airports and aviation c) Ports and shipping d) Railways and metro systems
Answer: c) Ports and shipping
