20th Maritime State Development Council Concludes with Major Outcomes for India's Port Sector

The 20th Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) concluded in Goa, yielding significant advancements for India's maritime sector. Key focuses included infrastructure modernization, port security, and enhanced worker conditions. The Council emphasized the role of non-major ports and discussed major projects like the Vadhavan Port and Galathea Bay development.

The 20th Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) in Goa concluded on Friday, marking significant advancements for India's maritime sector, according to a Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways statement. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the MSDC's crucial role in aligning policies like the Indian Ports Bill and the Sagarmala programme.

'The MSDC has been instrumental in resolving key issues between central and state governments, thereby ensuring seamless maritime infrastructure development,' Sonowal remarked. He noted the growth of over 50 non-major ports, which now handle more than 50% of India's annual cargo, and emphasized their future importance as major ports reach capacity.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the sector is thriving, Sonowal added, citing the foundation stone laying of the 13th major port at Vadhavan, Maharashtra. The meeting addressed over 80 issues, focusing on port infrastructure modernization, security, and maritime tourism, among others. It also tackled new challenges like Places of Refuge (PoR) for distressed ships and radioactive detection infrastructure.

The Sagarmala program, approved in 2015, includes 839 projects worth Rs 5.79 lakh crore, with 262 completed and another 217 underway. Efforts span multiple sectors with contributions from central ministries, state governments, and various agencies. The Council set a strong agenda for the future, ensuring significant contributions to India's economy and its global maritime position. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)