INDIA’S COASTS HAVE seen many eras when commerce and culture have blossomed over millennia. But maritime freight movement has dropped in recent years, even though this is the cheapest mode of transportation.
Aware of the vast potential here, the Union government has highlighted the blue economy as one of the 10 core motors of economic growth in its ‘Vision 2030’ document. There is also the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, a subsidiary of the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, that focusses on enhancing ports’ capacity and promoting inland water transport and coastal shipping with a proposed investment of ₹80 lakh crore.
By channelling technology, digitisation, and renewable energy, the government is looking to give ports a facelift and make them safe, smart, secure, and
