Enhancing port connectivity is quite a challenge in India, where trade connectivity is mostly based on road and rail infrastructure.
Considering that improved port connectivity can provide the much-needed boost to internal trade as well as Export and Import, 170 port connectivity enhancement projects have been identified as a part of Sagarmala at a projected cost of USD 35 Billion.
In addition, the new National Waterways Act, 2016 aims to facilitate the use of 111 inland waterways across 24 states as sustainable mode of transport. With the law’s enactment, several inland waterways would become National Waterways and come under the stipulated regulations for development.
