Sonowal Urges Reform-Driven Maritime Vision at MoPSW Chintan Baithak

In a compelling call to action, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, addressed the Ministry’s Chintan Baithak today, advocating for a transformative and reform-centric maritime governance model aligned with the national ambition of Viksit Bharat @2047. Emphasizing dialogue over directives, the Minister called on officials to lead with innovation, purpose, and accountability, positioning India’s maritime sector as a driver of economic transformation and global relevance.

From Vision to Action: Maritime Reform as a National Imperative

Opening the Baithak, Shri Sonowal reminded ministry officials that “reform begins not with a directive, but with dialogue,” framing the gathering as a space for open, introspective discussions aimed at recalibrating strategy, identifying challenges, and institutionalizing best practices across the maritime ecosystem.

“Every official, every decision, contributes to our national progress. Lead not by precedent, but by purpose,” the Minister asserted, urging a shift from status quo operations to disruptive thinking and reform-led governance.

The Baithak, part of a broader capacity-building exercise within MoPSW, gathered senior officials, project directors, and policy experts to deliberate on the sector’s evolution and its critical role in India’s future trajectory.

Sagarmala and Beyond: Progress Across Maritime Verticals

Over the past decade, India’s maritime sector has witnessed unprecedented momentum, driven by visionary initiatives:

• Sagarmala Programme: Over 800 projects identified to lower logistics costs, enhance port connectivity, and foster port-led industrialization.

• Major Port Authorities Act, 2021: Devolved financial and operational autonomy to major ports, enhancing their competitiveness and responsiveness to global demands.

• Cruise Tourism Development: India is emerging as a cruise tourism hub, with upgraded terminals, inland waterways connectivity, and customized itineraries.

• Inland Waterways: The Jal Marg Vikas Project has brought multi-modal transport to the forefront, easing cargo movement, reducing pollution, and decongesting highways.

• Sustainable Shipping: Projects involving shore power, LNG bunkering, and energy-efficient vessels mark India’s strategic entry into global decarbonization efforts.

Reimagining Maritime Governance for Viksit Bharat @2047

Shri Sonowal reiterated that maritime reform is a national mission, inspired by the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who has consistently championed a departure from colonial-era regulations toward a modern, Atmanirbhar Bharat model.

“Our efforts are not just updates to existing policy—they are structural changes geared towards strategic autonomy, environmental sustainability, and international credibility,” the Minister declared.

India’s active participation in platforms such as the Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS), Indian Maritime Week (IMW), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) underscores its growing leadership in international maritime diplomacy.

Institutional Modernization and Capacity Building

Shri Sonowal underscored the urgent need to strengthen institutional capacity at every level. Key areas of focus identified during the Baithak include:

• Digitalisation of approvals and port clearance systems

• Human Resource modernisation and upskilling

• Port corporatisation for improved commercial performance

• Efficient dispute resolution and grievance redressal

• Enhancing inter-ministerial coordination to accelerate project implementation

He called on departments to prioritize data-driven decision-making, improve stakeholder engagement, and benchmark their operations against global best practices. “Aligning India’s maritime standards with global benchmarks remains a non-negotiable priority,” he affirmed.

From Maritime Vision to a National Movement

The Union Minister described the resurgence of India’s maritime sector as no longer just a policy vision but a national movement. He emphasized that every action, innovation, and reform within MoPSW must reflect the broader spirit of Viksit Bharat @2047—a developed India that is inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive.

“Let us be the Ministry that sets benchmarks—not only for infrastructure, but for imagination,” said Shri Sonowal.

He also encouraged officials to share field-level insights and expose bottlenecks without hesitation, reiterating that the Ministry’s internal dialogue must remain candid and solution-oriented.

The Road Ahead: Seamless, Sustainable, Smart Maritime India

The Chintan Baithak marks a pivotal step in institutionalizing a future-ready maritime ecosystem. With initiatives like PM Gati Shakti, National Logistics Policy, and Blue Economy development gaining traction, the maritime sector is positioned as a linchpin in India’s economic and strategic ascent.

Shri Sonowal’s address served not only as a reflection on achievements but as a resounding call to reimagine India’s ports, shipping and waterways as integrated engines of growth, aligned with the country’s 21st-century aspirations.