India will invest USD 82 billion in port projects by 2035, raise share of unpolluted renewable energy source in maritime sector, develop waterways and boost tourism around lighthouses as a part of port-led development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday
Speaking at the Maritime India Summit, he invited global investors to take a position in Indian ports, shipyards and waterways
More than 574 projects costing USD 82 billion or Rs 6 lakh crore are identified for implementation between 2015 and 2035 under the Sagarmala Project, he said
The government, he said, is looking to operationalise 23 waterways by 2030
“Ours may be a government that’s investing in waterways during a way that was never seen before. Domestic waterways are found to be cost effective and environment friendly ways of transporting freight,” he said
Also, plans are drawn for developing tourism ashore adjacent to 78 out of 189 lighthouses on Indian coastline
“This with the target of enhancing development of the prevailing lighthouses and its surrounding areas into unique maritime tourism landmarks,” he said adding the govt has also initiated holistic development of islands
Alongside, the usage of unpolluted renewable energy within the maritime sector is being raised
“We are within the process of putting in solar and wind-based power systems altogether the main ports across the country. We aim to extend usage of renewable energy to quite 60 per cent of all energy by 2030 in three phases across Indian ports,” he said
Modi said, Indian ports have reduced waiting time for inbound and outbound cargo. “India is extremely serious about growing within the maritime sector and emerging as a number one Blue Economy of the planet,” he said.
