75 port infrastructure projects worth ₹31,967 crore completed under PM Gati Shakti; major ports' capacity reaches 1,728 MTPA

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has completed 75 infrastructure development and port connectivity projects worth ₹31,967 crore under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, out of 182 identified projects with a total investment of ₹1.09 lakh crore, the government informed Parliament. 

The projects are being implemented by major ports, State Maritime Boards and Union Territories to strengthen port infrastructure and improve multimodal connectivity. 

The government also said 25 projects under the coastal shipping and inland waterways (IWT) pillar of the Sagarmala Programme, involving an investment of ₹1,178.5 crore, have been completed across the country. 

To improve last-mile connectivity, the Sagarmala programme has a dedicated port connectivity pillar focused on enhancing road, rail, and inland waterway links between ports and their hinterlands. 

As part of these efforts, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) prepared a Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan (CPCP) in 2022 after assessing connectivity at operational ports and identifying gaps in road and rail links with nearby economic hubs. 

Based on the assessment, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in consultation with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Ministry of Railways, identified 294 rail and road connectivity projects. Of these, 84 projects have been completed, including 63 rail projects and 21 road projects. 

The government said it has also undertaken several measures to expand port capacity and improve operational efficiency. These include mechanisation of berths, capital dredging to accommodate deep-draft vessels, and other infrastructure upgrades. 

As a result, the cargo handling capacity of India's major ports has increased to 1,728 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) as of March 2026. 

On the sustainability front, the ministry has launched multiple green port initiatives under the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines. These include the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) to replace conventional diesel-powered tugs with electric or hybrid vessels, deployment of Onshore Power Supply (OPS) systems, electrification of port equipment, installation of renewable energy systems, and induction of zero-emission vehicles, and trucks within major port premises. 

The initiatives are aimed at reducing emissions, improving operational efficiency, and supporting India's transition towards greener and more sustainable port infrastructure.