NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced his government’s resolve to create about 10 million jobs over the next ten years through development of the maritime sector, spread around major and minor ports in the country.
“This includes four million direct and six million indirect jobs,” Modi said in his inaugural address at the Maritime India Summit, 2016, held in Mumbai. To broaden livelihood opportunities, the government is planning to deploy modern and sophisticated fishing vessels, he said. It would enable them to harness resources in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
“In addition, we are focusing on value addition in fisheries, aquaculture and cold chain development,” said Modi. The Prime Minister added that India’s vast coastline of 7,500 km and more than 14,000 km of navigable inland waterways offer a huge investment opportunity.
The Ministry of Shipping is showcasing about 250 projects with investment opportunities in the maritime sector. These include infrastructure development opportunities in 12 major ports, projects in eight maritime states and other agencies. Of these, over 100 have been identified under the Sagarmala Programme.
Modi told 4,500 dignitaries and delegates from about 40 countries, “This is the right time to come to India; it is even better to come through the sea route; the Indian ship is well equipped for a long haul; don’t miss it; missing it means missing a pleasant journey and a great destination.”
Hoary heritage
Some Indian ports were drivers of global maritime trade 2,000 years ago. They included Barygaza (Bharuch);Muziris (Kodungallur); Korkai (Thoothukudi);Kaveripattinam (in Nagaiist);Arikamedu (in Puducherry)