AsiaPorts and Logistics

Narendra Modi vows to develop India’s ports

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has stressed the need for modern port facilities across the coastline of the world’s largest democracy.

Speaking at Kandla port on the west coast of the nation, Modi said: “The way competition is rising, if India has to progress and cement its place in global trade, it is very important to have ports with modern facilities.”

Modi praised Kandla port for its rapid transformation, claiming it had emerged as one of the “most prominent” ports in Asia.

Modi said shipping was a far more important mode of freight transport than road or rail for the country.

“ With 7,700 km of coastline, what is the need to move cargo by railways or roads? By sea is far more cost effective,” he said.

Beyond modernising the ports, Modi said it was vital to improve multimodal connections too.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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