The government has approved six projects of the total 12 projects identified for implementation in the current fiscal under the ambitious Sagarmala initiative.
The Sagarmala project aims at augmenting infrastructure in coastal areas of the country and as many as 13 states and union territories are involved in the initiative which will be implemented across India's 7,500 km coastline.
"Twelve projects have been identified for taking up under Sagarmala in FY 15-16 out of which 6 projects have been approved and fund of Rs 90 crore has been released in three projects," Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
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Ten additional projects have been taken up for DPR (detailed project report) preparation, 58 road projects and 23 rail connectivity projects have been submitted to Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and Ministry of Railways respectively for consideration, Radhakrishnan said.
The Minister said preparation of detailed master plans for the Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) is being done and Perspective Plans for 14 CEZs are under development.
As part of the Sagarmala institutional framework, the National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) was constituted on May 13, 2015 and its first meeting was held on October 5, 2015.
Earlier Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that about Rs 70,000 crore has been lined up for various projects under Sagarmala and would be spent on development of major ports which have received 104 suggestions from international consultants to increase efficiency.
The prime objective of the Sagarmala project is to promote port-led direct and indirect development and to provide infrastructure to transport goods to and from ports quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.
The project aims at providing an institutional framework for ensuring integrated development, including modernisation and setting up of new ports, and efficient evacuation to and from hinterland.
The government has discussed potential for developing a world-class trans-shipment port in India and promoting the usage of coastal shipping and inland waterways for transporting key commodities like coal, iron ore, foodgrains and petroleum products recently.
Last year the Cabinet had given 'in-principle' nod to the project, aimed at port-led development in coastal states.
