India will become self-reliant in the maritime sector as well... 20 new waterways will be opened in the next five years, and ship repair centers will be built in Varanasi and Patna

News Topical, Digital Desk : Prioritizing infrastructure reforms, the central government has geared up to further accelerate efforts in water transport. Amid global business challenges, India aims to double the share of waterways in cargo transportation from its current six percent to 12 percent by 2047.

The idea behind this is to reduce logistics costs and strengthen competition in the global market. Toward this end, the central government announced a ₹10,000 crore container manufacturing plan in this budget and the launch of 20 new waterways over the next five years. The government also views these plans as efforts to increase India's self-reliance in the maritime sector.

The Container Manufacturing Scheme has a total allocation of ₹10,000 crore over the next five years. The scheme aims to establish a globally competitive container manufacturing ecosystem in India. Under this initiative, India aims to achieve an annual domestic manufacturing capacity of approximately 1 million TEUs (highest percentage of containers) over the next decade.

The Union Budget has placed the maritime sector at the heart of realizing the vision of a "Developed India" by accelerating reforms and providing a powerful impetus to India's economic transformation. It has clearly established the maritime sector as a strategic tool for India's trade competitiveness and long-term economic strength. The decision to operationalize 20 additional waterways over the next five years will further strengthen green and affordable transportation, reducing pressure on road and rail networks.
- Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways

This is expected to create approximately 3,000 direct and over 50,000 indirect employment opportunities. This initiative will significantly reduce India's dependence on imported empty containers, which currently stands at approximately two million units. Similarly, the launch of 20 new national waterways has been announced over the next five years. The government believes this will further expand the national waterway network and enable environmentally friendly and cost-effective freight transportation.

One of the budget announcements is the development of National Waterway-5 on the Mahanadi River system in Odisha. This waterway will connect the mineral-rich areas of Talcher and Angul with major industrial centers like Kalinganagar, and the ports of Paradip and Dhamra. Major terminals will be developed at Kakudi, Kurunti, and Pankapal. A new dedicated freight corridor connecting Dankuni to Surat in eastern India is also proposed.

Additionally, the Union Budget announced the establishment of training institutes for skills development in the inland waterways sector, known as Regional Centers of Excellence (RCOEs). Training centers will be established in Kolkata and Varanasi, providing skills training to youth across the waterways sector. Dedicated ship repair centers for inland waterways will be established in Varanasi and Patna.

Read More: India will become self-reliant in the maritime sector as well... 20 new waterways will be opened in the next five years, and ship repair centers will be built in Varanasi and Patna