The Centre has told the Parliament that 124 rail connectivity projects to ports have been identified under the Sagarmala programme, of which 60 have been completed and 30 are under implementation.
According to a written reply in the Lok Sabha by Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday, 20 March, the remaining 34 projects are under various stages of planning.
The minister said the wider port connectivity initiative spans all coastal states and is aimed at integrating ports with the hinterland through enhanced rail, road and national waterway networks.
“Sagarmala Programme, the flagship initiative of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), focuses on accelerating India’s economic growth through port-led development. Under this programme,124 rail connectivity projects have been identified. Of these, 60 projects have been completed, 30 projects are currently under implementation, and remaining 34 projects are under various stages of planning,” Sonowal said.
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“The overall port connectivity initiative spans all coastal states, integrating ports with the hinterland through enhanced rail, road, and national waterway networks, ensuring seamless linkages that extend beyond coastal regions,” the minister added.
According to the minister, the effort is part of a broader push under Maritime AmritKaal Vision 2047, which has 11 key theme areas of which one theme is “enhance modal share of coastal shipping & inland water transport” that includes focus on road, rail, inland waterways transport connectivity as well as expansion of existing line.
The minister also referred to the Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan prepared by DPIIT in 2022, which identified rail connectivity projects to strengthen last-mile and hinterland rail and road access to ports.
“In furtherance to the CPCP, MoPSW conducted a comprehensive review and consolidation exercise along with Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH) and Ministry of Railway (MoR) of the current and proposed road and rail connectivity projects. MoPSW has been regularly updating the list of road and rail connectivity projects as per the recommendations received from all major ports and other than major ports (OTMP) from time to time,” the minister said.
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