Cargo movement through coastal shipping and inland waterways are sustainable and environment friendly. Hence, an impetus has been given in the Sagarmala Programme to undertake projects which will result in shift of cargo from land-based transportation to coastal and inland waterways mode. 231 projects at cost of Rs. 14,526 Cr. have been undertaken for implementation. Out of total 231 projects, 35 projects worth Rs. 1,834 Cr. have been completed and 67 projects worth Rs. 5,617 Cr. are under implementation.
ROPAX service is a water transport service which benefits reduction in the travel time, vehicular emission and traffic on the road. Indian with long coastline and riverine connections has too much potential for executing such projects.
Sagarmala aims to reduce logistics cost through minimal infrastructure, also water transport being economical as well as eco-friendly mode of transport, there are various projects which specifically focuses on promotion of cruise passenger transport, Ro-Ro ferry and Ro-Pax movement across several routes.
Overall, there are 75 projects related to development of RoPax and Passenger jetties identified under Sagarmala Programme and being implemented across country. List consists of projects for development of RORO jetties, terminal buildings, dredging, construction of passenger jetties, etc. Out of 77, 12 projects have been completed, 18 projects are currently under implementation.
MoPSW under Sagarmala Scheme has extended financial assistance to 58 projects. Total funds sanctioned are Rs. 1025 Cr. and 399.08 Cr. have been released already.
Coastal Shipping is a fuel efficient, environment friendly mode of transport that can ease traffic congestion on road and rail and arrest loss of human lives caused due to accidents. Primary Challenges in coastal shipping are non-availability of return cargo, lack of dedicated coastal shipping infrastructure, dependency of first and last mile connectivity on other modes, insufficient parcel size for transporting through vessel.
There are 25 projects worth Rs. 2,906 Cr. which focus on providing infrastructure for coastal handling of cargo. 5 projects worth Rs. 321 Cr. have been completed, 8 projects are currently under implementation and 12 more projects are under various stages of development. 6 projects are being implemented at major ports whereas 19 projects are for improving coastal infrastructure at non-major ports.
Seaplane Projects: MoPSW has initiated the process for commencing operations of the Seaplane services. The operational methodology adopted is of constructing water aerodromes at the origin & destination points, wherein the seaplanes will utilize the water bodies for taking off and landing like the current operational model of the Ahmedabad- Kevadia sector in Gujarat.
Cruise Shipping: 13 projects amounting to Rs. 1,141 Cr. are being undertaken to improve infrastructure related to cruise shipping in India. Majority of these infrastructures are being developed with the allied facility at Major ports.
Domestic terminal at Mumbai Port implemented with investment of Rs. 139 Cr. International Cruise Terminal at Ernakulam Wharf with investment of Rs. 25.72 Cr, Development of Cruise Passenger Facilitation Centre at Chennai Port Trust with investment of Rs. 18 Cr. are completed. Upgrading and modernisation of International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock costing Rs. 303 Cr. is currently under construction. Goa being destination for tourism, development of international and domestic cruise terminal and allied facilities at Mormugao Port underway with investment of Rs. 153 Cr. Project of development of Marina at Prince Dock in Mumbai Port is also under planning stage with total investment of Rs. 365 Cr. Policy and infrastructure required at the ports and terminal are being implemented in tandem which has resulted into increased number of cruise ships calls and number of cruise passengers across the coastline.
Inland Waterways: There are 38 projects of Inland Waterways with total estimated investment of Rs.4,899 Cr. part of Sagarmala Programme. 6 projects including NW9 in Kerala and terminal at Pandu and Dhubri have been completed, 18 projects currently under implementation at NW1 (Jal Marg Vikas Project of Rs. 5369 Cr. connecting Allahabad with Haldia), NW2 (Rs. 461 Cr.) and NW16 (Rs. 76 Cr.) connecting to Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) Route, etc. The projects are being executed by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under MoPSW and State Agencies.