India is mapping out its maritime future with dramatic developments on its inland waterways, its coastal ports and its future as a shipbuilding centre.
The Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has outlined plans to offer subsidies to nation’s shipbuilders, many of whom have been struggling financially of late.
Gadkari chaired the 16th meeting of Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) yesterday at which many new initiatives were unveiled including plans for a new maritime university in the southwest of the country on 200 acres of land.
Millions will also be spent on upgrading the nation’s inland waterways, the minister said, as well as detailing plans to upgrade seven coastal ports.
“The union government has decided to open up seven new major ports in addition to 12 existing major ports, out of which one will be based in West Bengal namely Sagar port and the other will be in Dahanu in Maharashtra to be opened up jointly for Maharashtra and Kerala…. The work on these two projects have already begun,” Gadkari said, as part of his overall vision for Indian maritime come 2020.
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