Progress of Sagarmala Programme, Port Modernisation and Multimodal Connectivity

📌 Summary:

• Sagarmala is a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways to promote port-led development
• Funds projects under 5 pillars: port modernisation, port connectivity, port-led industrialisation, coastal community development, and coastal shipping & inland water transport
• 79 projects completed and 54 under implementation across coastal states/UTs (per Annexures)
• Major Ports capacity rose to 1,728.4 MT (2025-26); average turnaround time at Major Ports improved to ~47.25 hours (provisional) from 58.28 hours (2024-25)
• 294 rail/road connectivity projects identified: 84 completed (63 rail, 21 road), 66 under implementation, 144 at planning stage
• Connectivity within port limits handled by Port Authorities; beyond limits by MoR/MoRTH/State Governments

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 economy — infrastructure, port-led development, multimodal/logistics connectivity, coastal economy

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Sagarmala = central sector scheme under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways; 5 pillars
• Major Ports capacity 1,728.4 MT (2025-26); turnaround time ~47.25 hours
• Major Ports are under the Union Ministry; Non-Major Ports under States/UTs

🔑 Key Term: Turnaround time — the total time a ship spends at a port from arrival to departure; a key measure of port efficiency