Sustainable development of coastal areas under Sagarmala

The Dollar Business Bureau

As part of the Sagarmala programme, the Ministry of Shipping has taken various actions to meet its objective for sustainable development of coastal areas. A clearly defined action plan has been drawn to ensure sustainable and holistic development as part of the Ministry’s National Perspective Plan. The communitiesin the coastal areas are recognised as critical stakeholders in the port-led development agenda under the programme.

As part of its action plan, the Shipping Ministry has sanctioned Rs.30 crore for capacity building and to provide safety training to 20,000 workers, who are engaged in the activities of ship recycling at Alang-Sosiya yard in Gujarat. 

In addition, it has sanctioned Rs.13.77 crore for skill training to 27 coastal districts in conjunction with Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY).

In order to support the growth of the fishermen community, the Ministry is providing funds for fishing harbour projects with the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries (DADF), under the Sagarmala project.

In this regard, it has sanctioned Rs.13 crore for modernisation of existing fishing harbours at Sassoon Dock, Mumbai. In convergence with DADF, the Ministry will also provide support for the development of fish processing centres and deep sea fishing vessels.

Port-led industrialisation, modernisation of ports and enhancement of port-connectivity will be the major drivers of socio-economic development in thecoastal areas under Sagarmala. For this, the ministry has identified over 200 projects to be implemented in the coastal areas which are likely to generate employment opportunities for around 1 crore people by 2025, including 40 lakh direct jobs.

The Sagarmala project is a holistic plan for development and the overall growth of economy. Besides, generating job opportunities, the project is set to be a game changer in cutting logistics cost upto Rs.35,000 – Rs.40,000 crore a year, increasing a modal mix in the movement of cargo.