Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said that the first phase of the ambitious Rs 44,000 crore Galathea Bay port project will be operational by 2029.
Speaking at the recently concluded 20th Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) meeting, Sonowal said that the government has already designated Galathea Bay in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a ‘major port’.
“This Rs 44,000 crore project will be developed under a public-private partnership model and aims to capture transshipped cargo currently handled outside India. The first phase is expected to be operational by 2029,” the minister said.
India currently operates 12 major ports under central government control and around 200 non-major ports managed by state authorities. Of these non-major ports, approximately 65 handle cargo, while the rest are primarily used for fishing and passenger ferries.
Once operational, the Galathea Bay project is expected to capture a significant portion of transshipment cargo currently handled by foreign ports. The project is planned to be developed in four phases, with Phase 1 set to launch in 2028, offering a capacity of 4 million TEUs, eventually expanding to 16 million TEUs by 2058.
The minister noted that since major ports are approach saturation, the non-major ports in India will play a crucial role in the future of India’s maritime sector.
Emphasising on the importance of MSDC in aligning policy initiatives, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The MSDC has been instrumental in aligning policies and initiatives like the Indian Ports Bill and the Sagarmala program. By resolving key issues between the Central government, states, and maritime boards, the Council has ensured the seamless development of India’s maritime infrastructure, enabling coastal states to capitalise on emerging opportunities.”
He noted that the MSDC’s efforts over the past two decades have facilitated the growth of over 50 non-major ports, which now handle more than 50 per cent of India’s annual cargo. “As major ports approach saturation, these non-major ports will play a crucial role in the future of India’s maritime sector,” Sonowal said.
Speaking about the initiatives to increase port capacities, the minister said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian maritime sector is growing like never before. Recently, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of India’s 13th major port worth Rs 76,220 crores at Vadhavan in Maharashtra August 2024.”
Speaking about the Sagarmala program, the minister said that the Union Cabinet in 2015 has approved the program which envisions a total of 839 projects with an estimated investment of Rs 5.79 lakh crore, slated for completion by 2035. Out of these, 262 projects, amounting to around Rs 1.40 lakh crore, have already been completed, while another 217 projects, valued at around Rs 1.65 lakh crore, are currently under active implementation.
These projects span multiple sectors and involve the coordinated efforts of central ministries, state governments, major ports, and various other agencies, reflecting a comprehensive approach to transforming India’s maritime infrastructure.
“India’s maritime sector stands at a pivotal moment of transformation. Through the initiatives launched at the MSDC, we are not only advancing infrastructure and safety but also creating an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and growth. The inclusion of digital platforms and enhanced ease of doing business initiatives are key steps in making India a leader in global maritime trade. The future of India’s maritime landscape is bright,” Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, said.
