Infrastructure related to water transport will be strengthened in the country, 20 lakh new jobs will be created

The Modi government, which is engaged in strengthening the water transport-related infrastructure under Maritime Vision-2030, believes that waterways will pave a new path for economic progress of the country. In next five years, the container handling capacity will get doubled, i.e. 40 million TEU-twenty-foot equivalent unit-which will also create opportunities for 20 lakh new jobs.

Referring to the achievements of the government in 100 days, Union Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the ministry was working on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Maritime Vision-2030. Under this, during the tenure so far, the infrastructure has been considerably strengthened.

India also has the potential to lead in the field of shipbuilding and repair. In this view, in Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Gujarat, ship-building and repair clusters are being created. Similarly, India can become a leader in the field of clean energy too. For this purpose, 3900 acres are being allotted to Kandla and VOC Port to make hydrogen manufacturing hubs.

To prepare the roadmap for blue economy growth, it has been decided to organize the Ocean Conference 'Sagarmanthan' in Mumbai in November, in which eminent personalities from the water transport industry from all over the world will participate. Secretary of the Ministry TK Ramachandran said that the government is going to create a Maritime Development Fund. Through this, financial assistance will be given to the private sector to encourage shipbuilding, green energy vessels etc.

Apart from this, the government is considering many such schemes. He said that the Green Boat Scheme will promote the change to green fuel for inland ships and hydrogen-powered ships will be built at Cochin Shipyard.

Apart from this, Cruise India Mission will be launched to establish India as a major cruising destination with the operation of Mormugao Port Cruise Terminal in Goa to accommodate the growing domestic and international cruise tourism.