India is focussing to plot its maritime future with special importance being given to the development of inland waterways, its coastal ports and shipbuilding centers.
The 16th meeting of Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) took place in Panaji on Monday 24th August 2015. Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, who chaired the session, briefed the plans to elevate the nation’s shipbuilders by providing adequate subsidies. This would be of a great boost to the shipbuilders who undergo a financial crunch.
Gadkari also announced the plans to start a new maritime university in the southwest of the country. The government allocated nearly 200 acres of land for this venture. He also unveiled many fresh initiatives for the development of the maritime sector in India.
Gadkari shared his overall vision for Indian Maritime 2020: “The union government has decided to open up seven new major ports in addition to 12 existing major ports, out of which one will be based in West Bengal namely Sagar port and the other will be in Dahanu in Maharashtra to be opened up jointly for Maharashtra and Kerala. The work on these two projects have already begun.”
Source: Press Information Bureau
