Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday along with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a joint meeting to review the implementation of 126 projects worth Rs 1.13 lakh crore under SAGARMALA programme.
-To accelerate the implementation of 126 projects worth Rs 1.13 lakh cr under SAGARMALA in Maharashtra, joint review meeting held between Sonowal and Fadnavis
-Successful completion of the Sagarmala projects in Maharashtra, will foster economic growth and enhance maritime infrastructure: Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister, MoPSW
-DCM Devendra Fadnavis assures to resolve various issues related to the projects and expedite their implementation at the earliest
The meeting also focused upon matters related to Wadhwan & 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 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’.
Out of these 126 projects, 46 projects worth Rs 2333 Crore are partially funded by MoPSW and out of which 37 projects worth Rs1,387 Crore are under Maharashtra State Government. 9 projects worth Rs 279 Crore have been completed. 18 projects worth Rs 777 Crore are under implementation and 10 projects worth Rs 331 Crore 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 the upcoming Wadhwan Port in Maharashtra. Wadhawan has 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 “To celebrate the maritime activities of the coastal states of the country ‘Coastal States Pavilion’ has 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 the Maharashtra Government can contribute significantly”.
Sonowal and Fadnavis also discussed Skill Development in the Maritime Sector in Maharashtra and finalisation of the maritime master plan for ports.
Fadnavis committed to resolve the various issues and expedite the implementation of the projects at the earliest.
Later during the day Sonowal reviewed the project progress of the National Maritime Heritage complex (NMHC) project at Lothal with all the associated stakeholders, consultants and sub consultants. During the meeting various challenges and development plans for ensuring timely completion of the project were 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.
