Sagarmala National Perspective Plan

Sagarmala National Perspective Plan Released

Question: Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the National Perspective Plan at the inauguration of the Maritime India Summit in Mumbai detailing the contours of ” Sagarmala”, the program aims for-
(a) Development of ports
(b) Development of national highways
(c) Connecting National Highways to the ports
(d) Development of maritime economic zones
Ans (a)
Related facts:

  • On 14 April 2016 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released the National Perspective Plan at the inauguration of the Maritime India Summit in Mumbai.
  • National Perspective Plan provides details of the contours of Sagarmala.
  • “ Sagarmala” is the government’s flagship program to promote port-led development in the country.
  • The National Perspective Plan has been crafted after detailed consultations with key stakeholders in the central and state governments, public sector companies as well as private players from shipping, ports, ship-building, power, cement and steel sectors.
  • It takes forward Sagarmala’s vision of substantially reducing export-import and domestic trade costs with a minimal investment.
  • The report estimates that the program could lead to annual logistics cost savings of close toRs 35,000 crore.
  • It will also boost India’s merchandise exports to $110 billion by 2025.
  • About one crore new jobs are estimated to be created, of which 40 lakhs will be direct employment.
  • With a coastline of about 7,500 kms covering 13 states and Union Territories, India enjoys a strategic location on key international trade routes.
  • It is based on the following four strategic aspects:
  1. Optimizing multi-modal transport to reduce the cost of domestic cargo,
  2. Minimizing the time and cost of export-import cargo logistics,
  3. Lowering costs for bulk industries by locating them closer to the coast, and
  4. Improving export competitiveness by locating discrete manufacturing clusters near ports.
  • Sagarmala aims to deliver impact through over 150 projects and initiatives in four broad areas.
  • To modernize India’s port infrastructure, 5 to 6 new ports have been proposed to be built.

Reference:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=138881
http://pibphoto.nic.in/documents/rlink/2016/apr/p201641402.pdf