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The roadshow on Global Maritime India Summit, 2023 (GMIS) was ceremonially inaugurated by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in Guwahati recently.
Pitching the role of GMIS, 2023, the Union Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted how the role of inland waterways has evolved as an alternative mode of transportation, especially under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
said, “Inland waterways are powering the growth of the Indian economy. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the inland waterways sector has received a tremendous boost as govt has invested ?5200 crores since 2014. This is a significant jump of more than 200% in the amount of investment made by the government in a span of 9 years over investments made in the previous 28 years. This drives home the utmost urgency with which the inland waterways is being developed under the Modi government.
"This clean, efficient & economical mode of transportation will be pivotal in unlocking the economic potential of the hinterland of India. By investing in the inland waterways and empowering our rich and complex waterways system, we are in the process of creating a collaborative ecosystem for industry that will foster greater cooperation among our neighboring countries. This is going to unlock huge trade and commerce potential for all the countries as well as states of India in the south Asia region,” he added.
Sonowal said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister, the government aims to bring Indian ports to global standard, facilitating greater industrialization, manufacturing and ease of doing business. India stands as one of the swiftest expanding maritime nations, and as Indians, we take immense pride in being a part of this era marked by evolution and transformation.
"Guided by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have not only acquired the necessary skills but also the strength to excel on the global stage. By modernizing the ports of India, India will ensure advancement of coastal communities, coastal districts, and the entire nation. By elevating Indian ports to global standards, fostering a port-driven economy that promotes increased industrialization, manufacturing, and improved ease of doing business,” the minister further said.
GMIS also witnessed participation from the neighboring countries Bhutan and Bangladesh. The countries were represented by Assistant High Commissioner, Bangladesh in Guwahati, Ruhul Amin; Joint Secretary, Member (Planning & Operation), Bangladesh Inland Waterways Transport Authority (BIWTA), Mohammad Monowar Uz Zaman as well as Vice Consul, Royal Bhutanese Consulate General, Guwahati, Phurpa Tshering.
TK Ramachandra, Secretary, MoPSW said, “The North-east is often referred as the unexplored paradise of our nation. This region is blessed with lush landscapes, vibrant cultures, rich biodiversity, and abundant rivers, which grants it the geographical advantage to leverage transformative solutions and foster increased collaboration with Asia Pacific nations.”
He also underscored the government’s efforts to transform the region into an epitome of growth and connectivity. Speaking about the ongoing projects in the region, Ramachandra said, “We have already identified 20 projects aimed at enhancing connectivity within the north-east region. These projects encompass the modernization of existing terminals, establishment of new terminals, improvement of first and last-mile connectivity, industrialisation, river ports, and skill development, among other initiatives. The work on the eastern waterways grid will revitalise economic position of the entire South Asian region including Myanmar, Malaysia and Thailand.”
Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, Chairman, Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI), also underlined the all-time high cargo movement on National Waterways in FY23, noting that this years achievement builds on the remarkable progress the IWAI has made since 2014-15. He said, "The Authority reported that the cargo transported through waterways was 30.40 million tonnes in 2014-15. The growth rate since then has been an extraordinary 315%. In a year that tested the resilience of global trade, the robust growth in cargo movement through our National Waterways is a testament to the effectiveness of our initiatives and the robustness of Indias inland waterways system.”
The roadshow at Guwahati is the fifth in a series of roadshows being organized by the Ministry as part of the run up to the main event of Global Maritime India Summit, 2023. The main event is going to be held between October 17-19, 2023 at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. Earlier, similar roadshows were organized in Kolkata, Mangalore, Vishakhapatanam and Goa. Following Guwahati, road shows are being planned at Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi, Kochi, Ahmedabad and Bangalore. |
