Page 2 - Sarbananda Sonowal

All roads lead to first Business Standard Infrastructure Summit today

The day-long event will range from funding models for Viksit Bharat to the future of energy, aviation, and logistics

Committee reports, legislative business to be discussed in Lok Sabha today

The Standing Committee on Finance will table its 25th report on the 'Evolving Role of the Competition Commission of India in the Economy, particularly the Digital Landscape'

INDIA bloc to protest at Parliament against Bihar electoral roll revision

On August 1, Rijiju said the govt was ready to hold discussions on any issue under the rules, but the SIR could not be debated as it is carried out by a constitutional body--the Election Commission

LS passes Merchant Shipping Bill; 2nd to be passed in Monsoon session

A bill to expand the eligibility criteria for ownership of merchant shipping vessels and provide for investigation and enquiries on marine casualties was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, after a brief discussion as the Opposition continued with its protests seeking discussion on poll roll revision in Bihar. As soon as the Bill was passed, the House proceedings were adjourned for the day amid noisy protests by the Opposition members. Union Minister Sarbnanda Sonowal made opening remarks following which two BJP members Captain Brijesh Chowta and Mukeshkumar Chandrakant Dalal spoke on the Bill, amid sloganeering by the Opposition over the Bihar poll roll issue. The Bill was later passed by a voice vote. This is the second Bill to be passed by the Lok Sabha in the ongoing Monsoon session, which has seen repeated disruptions by the Opposition on various issues. The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed 'The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the

LS passes Bill to update, simplify legal framework for shipping documents

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal moved the bill for consideration and passage by the Upper House

Minister Sonowal to inaugurate Bimstec ports conclave in Vizag on July 14

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will inaugurate the second Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) ports conclave in Visakhapatnam on July 14. The two-day event, to be held until July 15, aims to enhance regional maritime cooperation under the BIMSTEC framework, said an official press release. "BIMSTEC enhances regional unity through maritime cooperation and trade connectivity, said T Venu Gopal, secretary, Visakhapatnam Port Authority. During his visit, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is also expected to inaugurate completed development projects and lay foundation stones for upcoming port infrastructure. Themed Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation & Sustainable Partnerships', the conclave will bring together ministerial delegations, port authorities, maritime experts, and business leaders from BIMSTEC member countries. Delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand have

Modi govt plans to invest ₹5,000 cr to develop Northeast waterways: Sonowal

He said that, over the past 11 years, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has transformed India's maritime sector with record growth in cargo handling, capacity and coastal shipping

Kaladan project between India, Myanmar to be operational by 2027: Sonowal

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday said the ambitious Kaladan project between India and Myanmar, which is aimed at reducing the Northeast's distance from the rest of the country, will be operational by 2027. Addressing a press conference here, Sonowal said the distance between Aizawl and Kolkata will be shortened by 700 km once the project is ready. "The Sittwe port (in Myanmar) is ready. Now work is going on to develop the road connectivity to Aizawl. The entire Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project will be operational by 2027," he added. Sonowal, the minister of ports, shipping and waterways, said that his ministry is investing Rs 1,000 crore in developing the waterways of the project, while other agencies are taking care of the rest. He said that the Northeastern region will play a critical role in reviving the economic prosperity of India. "PM Narendra Modi said that transformation should be done through transportation. As per his direction, we want to develop

Atmanirbharta in shipping a key goal of maritime policy: Sarbananda Sonowal

Minister Sonowal says India is working with global partners to boost shipbuilding tech, establish smart islands, and enhance seafarer employment under Make in India

Boat capsize: Kerala on high alert, efforts on to avert major marine crisis

All company representatives of MSC have arrived in Kochi and have been advised to visit both the Indian Coast Guard and MMD offices, Sonowal said

Northeast Waterways to get boost from ₹1K cr investment: Sarbananda Sonowal

More than Rs 1,000 crore has been invested in the waterways in the Northeast in the last two years, while another Rs 1,000 crore will be pumped in to boost the sector, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Monday. He said efforts were underway to boost cargo and passenger movement, improve last-mile connectivity and promote economic growth in the region. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways was speaking after reviewing ongoing projects in Assam and other northeastern states with senior officials of the ministry, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Public Works Department (PWD), Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). "In the last two years, more than Rs 1,000 crore has been invested, with Rs 300 crore worth of projects already completed... We are on track to complete the remaining Rs 700 crore projects by the end of 2025," Sonowal said. Projects worth an additional Rs 1,000 crore are on the anvil, target

French shipping company CMA CGM launches vessel under Indian flag

First foreign firm to fly the Indian flag on its vessel

India's largest cruise terminal starts operations at Mumbai port

Shipping minister Sonowal flagged off cruise ops at Mumbai Terminal

LS clears Coastal Shipping Bill 2024 to boost maritime trade: Sonowal

The Lok Sabha passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, paving the way for a dedicated legal framework for coastal trade as the maritime sector aims to provide a economical, reliable and sustainable mode of transportation as it decongest road and rail network."The Bill seeks to unlock the full potential of India's vast and strategic coastline, providing dedicated legal framework for coastal trade," asserted Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) as he introduced the bill in the Lower House earlier in the day.The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 aims to make coastal trade easier, more competitive, and better integrated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Govt's overall transport vision -- the National Logistics Policy. With its manifold forward looking provisions, the bill provides a future ready legal framework while upgrading the dated provision of earlier legislations like Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The proposed bill introduces key provisions ...

Govt moves Bill to remove licence need for Indian coastal shippers

Opposition claims bill promotes centralisation of power

Sarbananda Sonowal to move Coastal Shipping Bill in Lok Sabha today

The bill will be moved to consolidate and amend the law relating to regulation of coastal shipping to encourage the trade and ensure that the country is equipped with a coastal fleet

Centre introduces Indian Ports Bill 2025 to amend 117-year-old legislation

After previous opposition from states, bill takes reconciliatory approach on port powers, officials say

Govt unveils consortium of public sector companies to operate global ports

Move to streamline logistics, strengthen supply chain: Sonowal

Govt to spend Rs 4,800 cr for waterways development in Assam: Sonowal

Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Wednesday that the Centre will spend Rs 4,800 crore for developing waterways and related infrastructure in Assam in the next five years. The ports, shipping and waterways minister was speaking at a session on the state's road, railway and riverine infrastructure at the 'Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit' here. "I want to announce that in the next five years, Rs 4,800 crore will be spent by my ministry in Assam," Sonowal said. The amount will be spent on various works, like building a ship repair facility, construction of alternate roads for ports and development of terminals. Sonowal said a centre of excellence in maritime education will also be established in the state, which will provide 5,000 skilled youth to the shipping industry annually. The union minister also highlighted the importance of waterways in economic development and maintained that the sector has received a major boost since the BJP-led government t

Sonowal launches projects worth Rs 2,000 cr to expand capacity at JNPA

Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday launched multiple projects worth nearly Rs 2,000 crore in order to expand capacity at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA), according to an official statement. The statement further said JNPA is amongst top global ports and India's largest port. It has crossed 10+ million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) capacity in January 2025 and is poised to achieve 10 million TEUs throughput by 2027. In 2024, the port handled highest ever container volume of 7.05 million TEUs, performing at more than 90 per cent capacity, it added. According to the statement, it had an annual growth of 11 per cent Y-o-Y last year as compared to the previous calendar year. "The upgradation of Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal (NSFT) in 2025 is also likely to add capacity to the port," the statement said. Major MoUs (memorandums of understanding) were signed in the presence of Sonowal for the development of the Vadhavan Port Project. "A MoU .