sonowal-coordination-key-for-maha-port-projects

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday stressed the urgency of coordinated action by Central and state departments to speed up the completion of important port projects in Maharashtra. Presiding over a joint meeting of central and state officials on port and coastal development in Mumbai, the Union Minister for ports, shipping, and waterways highlighted the strategic significance of Maharashtra's maritime infrastructure and urged accelerating clearances for ongoing and upcoming projects.

 

State Minister of Fisheries and Ports Nitesh Rane, who also spoke during the meeting, termed the joint consultation as a "positive step" towards the coastal development of the state and emphasised the need for timely approvals from Central agencies to facilitate smooth execution and cost-effectiveness.

 

"Meeting was conducted to coordinate among Central and state-level marine institutions. There was a clear discussion on planning coastal infrastructure in Maharashtra. Sonowal ji instructed officials that Central and state government agencies must work in tandem to speed up the project completion in Maharashtra," he stated.

 

Senior officials from the relevant departments attended the meeting.

 

Sonowal added, "There are huge opportunities in the maritime and industrial economy. Port sector projects in Maharashtra are important and should be accelerated with quick approvals. Projects connecting ports with railway and road connectivity must also be given top priority." He also added that all projects sanctioned under the Sagarmala programme in Maharashtra must be finished by 2026.

 

Also read: Patna to soon get water metro services: Sonowal

 

Minister Rane indicated that improved inter-departmental coordination would assist in getting approvals within a timely and not delayed manner.

 

smooth approvals will allow projects to be delivered on time and within budget. Today's meeting was successful and is likely to provide a big boost to port development work in the state," he said.

 

Major projects, such as the Vaibhavwadi-Kolhapur railway project, Anandwadi port, Ro-Ro ferry, water taxi projects, inland waterways, and jetty-related issues, were also discussed in the meeting.