By Faridat Salifu
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has launched eight major maritime development projects as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), marking five decades of the port’s contribution to India’s maritime trade and regional growth.
Speaking at the Curtain Raiser Ceremony held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Sonowal described the milestone as “momentous,” highlighting NMPA’s evolution from a small regional port established in 1975 to a major maritime hub.
“From handling just a few thousand tonnes of cargo in its early years, it has grown to handle 46.01 million tonnes in the last financial year, with a total capacity of 104 million tonnes per annum,” Sonowal said. “A new deep-draft general cargo berth is also under construction and will commence operations soon.”
The minister inaugurated projects that include a state-of-the-art cruise terminal, covered storage sheds, a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital, expanded truck terminals, and upgraded port access infrastructure to enhance user experience and efficiency. He also launched a commemorative postal stamp, coin, and the official Golden Jubilee Anthem of NMPA.
Sonowal underscored the need for sustainable and environmentally responsible growth, commending NMPA’s green initiatives.
“The economy should not grow at the cost of ecology and environment,” he said. “The port has embraced sustainability as a guiding principle and continues to integrate environmentally conscious practices in its operations.”
The minister reaffirmed the government’s vision to transform India into a “Viksit Atmanirbhar Maritime Nation by 2047”, underlining the role of ports in achieving the goal of making India a $30 trillion economy.
He cited flagship initiatives such as the Harit Sagar Guidelines, Green Tug Transition Programme, Harit Nauka Scheme, and Green Shipping Corridors as key to advancing India’s shift toward a clean-fuel and electric-vessel maritime ecosystem.
Sonowal also referenced the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, aligned with the principles of the Blue Economy, which envisions investments of ₹80 lakh crore to strengthen India’s maritime capabilities and generate millions of jobs through the Sagarmala Programme.
Under Sagarmala, 840 projects worth ₹5.8 lakh crore are targeted for completion by 2035. So far, 272 projects valued at ₹1.41 lakh crore have been completed, while 217 projects worth ₹1.65 lakh crore are ongoing.
The eight new NMPA projects include:
• Construction of two covered storage sheds (14,000 MT capacity, pre-engineered design)
• Construction of a dedicated cruise gate for international tourists
• Modification of KK Gate with RFID-enabled cargo handling and security systems
• Expansion of truck parking terminal (Customs House) for 50–80 trucks per day
• Construction of PQC roads with drainage facilities at MDL Yard (675 meters)
• Development of truck parking terminal at Baikampady (20,000 sq. m., capacity for 180–200 trucks)
• Establishment of a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital under PPP mode (₹107 crore investment)
• Launch of a dedicated medical app for beneficiaries
The Golden Jubilee of NMPA will be celebrated later this year, commemorating 50 years of the port’s service to India’s maritime and regional development.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, including R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary (Ports), and Dr. Venkata Ramana Akkaraju, Chairman, NMPA, along with other dignitaries.
Sonowal unveils eight maritime projects as new mangalore port marks golden jubilee
By Faridat Salifu
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has launched eight major maritime development projects as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), marking five decades of the port’s contribution to India’s maritime trade and regional growth.
Speaking at the Curtain Raiser Ceremony held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Sonowal described the milestone as “momentous,” highlighting NMPA’s evolution from a small regional port established in 1975 to a major maritime hub.
“From handling just a few thousand tonnes of cargo in its early years, it has grown to handle 46.01 million tonnes in the last financial year, with a total capacity of 104 million tonnes per annum,” Sonowal said. “A new deep-draft general cargo berth is also under construction and will commence operations soon.”
The minister inaugurated projects that include a state-of-the-art cruise terminal, covered storage sheds, a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital, expanded truck terminals, and upgraded port access infrastructure to enhance user experience and efficiency. He also launched a commemorative postal stamp, coin, and the official Golden Jubilee Anthem of NMPA.
Sonowal underscored the need for sustainable and environmentally responsible growth, commending NMPA’s green initiatives.
“The economy should not grow at the cost of ecology and environment,” he said. “The port has embraced sustainability as a guiding principle and continues to integrate environmentally conscious practices in its operations.”
The minister reaffirmed the government’s vision to transform India into a “Viksit Atmanirbhar Maritime Nation by 2047”, underlining the role of ports in achieving the goal of making India a $30 trillion economy.
He cited flagship initiatives such as the Harit Sagar Guidelines, Green Tug Transition Programme, Harit Nauka Scheme, and Green Shipping Corridors as key to advancing India’s shift toward a clean-fuel and electric-vessel maritime ecosystem.
Sonowal also referenced the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, aligned with the principles of the Blue Economy, which envisions investments of ₹80 lakh crore to strengthen India’s maritime capabilities and generate millions of jobs through the Sagarmala Programme.
Under Sagarmala, 840 projects worth ₹5.8 lakh crore are targeted for completion by 2035. So far, 272 projects valued at ₹1.41 lakh crore have been completed, while 217 projects worth ₹1.65 lakh crore are ongoing.
The eight new NMPA projects include:
• Construction of two covered storage sheds (14,000 MT capacity, pre-engineered design)
• Construction of a dedicated cruise gate for international tourists
• Modification of KK Gate with RFID-enabled cargo handling and security systems
• Expansion of truck parking terminal (Customs House) for 50–80 trucks per day
• Construction of PQC roads with drainage facilities at MDL Yard (675 meters)
• Development of truck parking terminal at Baikampady (20,000 sq. m., capacity for 180–200 trucks)
• Establishment of a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital under PPP mode (₹107 crore investment)
• Launch of a dedicated medical app for beneficiaries
The Golden Jubilee of NMPA will be celebrated later this year, commemorating 50 years of the port’s service to India’s maritime and regional development.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, including R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary (Ports), and Dr. Venkata Ramana Akkaraju, Chairman, NMPA, along with other dignitaries.