1.             Introduction of Sagarmala Programme

India, with 7,517 Km long coastline and 14,500 Km of potentially navigable waterways has immense potential for development of sea-based transportation. Maritime logistics account for 90% EXIM trade by volume and more than 70% in terms of value. However, India faces high logistics cost as a % of GDP i.e. 19% as compared to China having 12.5% logistics cost as % of GDP. The Sagarmala Programme (String of pearls) was launched by the Government of India to give a fillip to port-led development in the country.

Vision of the Sagarmala Programme “is to reduce logistics cost for EXIM and domestic trade with minimal infrastructure investment.” The programme envisages creation of 4 million jobs, logistics cost saving of INR 35,000-40,000 crore per annum, INR 77000 billion of exports and doubling the overall share of waterways to 12% in modal split by 2025.

To achieve the above vision, the programme has been divided into the below mentioned pillars for systematic execution of projects.

1. Port Modernization & New Port Development

2. Port connectivity

3. Port-led Industrialization

4. Coastal Community Development

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Figure 1: Sagarmala Four Pillars

Source: Sagarmala NPP