India is speeding up investments in ports, inland waterways, and shipbuilding as part of its Viksit Bharat 2047 plan, which focuses on expanding capacity, attracting private investment, digitization, and maritime manufacturing. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a review meeting to ensure that projects align with timelines, urging collaboration among officials from the Ministry, major ports, and the Inland Waterways Authority of India to meet long-term maritime goals.
The review highlighted notable achievements, including India becoming the largest ship recycling nation and surpassing the 200 million tonnes cargo mark in inland waterways earlier than expected. The Ministry aims to expand maritime infrastructure with a target of over 700 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in additional port capacity by 2030. Key projects include Vadhavan Port (164 MTPA by 2030-31), Tuticorin Outer Harbour (39 MTPA), and the Kandla Tuna Tekra Terminal (33 MTPA by 2027-28).
To achieve these goals, the Ministry plans to add 682 MTPA by 2030 through new infrastructure and private investment, distributed across major and non-major ports and through operational enhancements.