(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM)
To accelerate the implementation of various SAGARMALA projects, a joint review meeting held between Sarbananda Sonowal and Dy. CM, Maharashtra.

In the state of Maharashtra, there are 126 projects worth Rs. 1,13,285 Cr. under Sagarmala Programme

Successful completion of the Sagarmala projects in Maharashtra, will foster economic growth and enhance maritime infrastructure: Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister, MoPSW

Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra assured to resolve various issues related to the projects and expedite their implementation at the earliest. 

New Delhi, 19 June 2023: Today, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal had a joint review meeting with Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra. During this meeting Sonowal and Fadnavis took a detailed review on various projects related to ports and the shipping sector in Maharashtra under the Sagarmala program of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The meeting also focused upon matters related to Vadadhavan & Mumbai Port and setting-up of Maharashtra coastal state pavilion at National Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal. While discussing the completion of Sagarmala Projects in the state of Maharashtra Shri Sonowal mentioned, ‘Immediate attention is required to expedite the completion of 14 Sagarmala projects that have been delayed for almost a year in Maharashtra. By prioritizing these action points, we can significantly contribute to the successful completion of the Sagarmala projects in Maharashtra, fostering economic growth and enhancing maritime infrastructure in the region’. It is to be noted that there are 126 projects worth Rs. 1,13,285 Cr. under the Sagarmala Programme are planned in Maharashtra. Out of these 126 projects, 46 projects worth ~Rs. 2333 Cr. are partially funded by MoPSW and out of which 37 projects worth Rs1,387 Cr. under Maharashtra State Government. 9 projects worth Rs 279 Cr have been completed. 18 projects worth Rs 777 Cr are under implementation and 10 projects worth Rs 331 Cr are under development stage. The detailed discussions were also made on Exemption/Relaxation on VAT for Bunker Fuels in RoRo/RoPax/Passenger Ferry Operations in Maharashtra, which accounts for over 20% of the fuel cost for ferry operations. The discussion also included the development of upcoming Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra. Vadhavan have natural drafts in excess of 18m that would enable ultra large container and cargo vessels to call on the port thereby boosting the efforts to make India a prominent destination for Major Shipping lines and provide required capacity to accommodate the future cargo growth in the hinterland served by the port. Sonowal said “As per the grand vision of our Prime Minister, to celebrate the maritime activities of the coastal states of the country ‘Coastal States Pavilion’ have been proposed to be developed in the National Maritime Heritage Complex. Here Maharashtra has a unique opportunity to showcase its rich maritime heritage which would be state-sponsored in which Maharashtra Government can contribute significantly”.Sarbananda Sonowal and Devendra Fadnavis had a fruitful conversation upon Skill Development in the Maritime Sector in Maharashtra and on finalizing the maritime master plan for ports. Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra committed to resolve the various issues and expedite the implementation of the projects at the earliest.Later during the day, Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the project progress of National Maritime Heritage complex (NMHC) project at Lothal with all the associated stakeholders, consultants and subconsultants. During the meeting various challenges and development plan for ensuring timely completion of the project was discussed and it was directed to the participants to set an example through this project as a technological wonder for the world to see and appreciate. The meeting was attended by Rajiv Jalota, Chairman, Mumbai Port; Sanjay Sethi, Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA); Bhushan Kumar, JS, Sagarmala and other senior officials of Ministry and Ports.