The Meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Members of Parliament for the Ministry of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways was held in New Delhi recently.

Union Minister, MoPSW, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, recently informed that, ‘Cargo handling in National Waterways has grown by more than 1700% to 126.15 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2022-23 from 6.83 MMT in 2013-14. 

He further said that the ministry has identified a total potential of 1300 MTPA cargo movement by coastal shipping by 2047’. Mr Sonowal stated this while chairing the meeting on the ‘Coastal Shipping Policy’.

He remarked that, ‘MoPSW has introduced green channel clearance, First and last mile road and rail connectivity, Sectoral plans for Efficient Logistics (SPEL) under National logistics policy etc. for the promotion of coastal shipping. 

‘Today, Government has taken various projects under the Sagarmala Programme for enhancement of Coastal Cargo handling capacity and facilitation of passenger movement along the coast.