Shipping Minister Sonowal holds review meeting to ensure normal movement of cargo

New Delhi: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, conducted extensive review meetings with officials in Mumbai to ensure normal movement of cargo following Indo-Pak tension.

"Considering the prevailing situation, the Union Minister took stock of key maritime projects and directed the officials to ensure that the business remains normal. Sonowal also reviewed measures to be taken to ensure smooth and regular movement of cargo operations," the statement said.

Major organisations under the Ministry, including the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd. (IPRCL), Indian Port Global Ltd. (IPGL), Directorate General of Shipping, and Mumbai Port Authority, participated in the day-long meeting.

The Union Minister also reviewed the progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat, one of the Ministry’s flagship initiatives.

The Union Minister reviewed current operations, fleet augmentation, and long-term expansion strategies aligned with the government’s Vision 2047.

An in-depth review of the Greenfield Mega Port project at Vadhavan was held with JNPA Chairman Unmesh Wagh and senior officials. The Minister stressed the need to fast-track the development of the port, citing the Prime Minister’s vision of making India a global maritime leader.

The Union Minister also met, IPGL Chairman Sunil Mukundan to assess the company’s global performance. The discussions included the progress and future plans for Chabahar Port in Iran and Sittwe Port in Myanmar, key projects that aim to expand India’s maritime footprint internationally.

“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are working towards unearthing opportunities of the blue economy and enabling our maritime sector to step up to become a major force in the world. All our agencies, organisations and teams are working towards the realisation of this vision of PM Modi to transform our country into a Viksit Bharat. We met to review our key projects and take measures towards swift realisation of these maritime goals,” Sonowal said.

Ports, Shipping and Waterways Secretary T K Ramachandran and other officers were present at the meeting.