Gujarat sets target to handle 2,000 MMTPA cargo by 2047
NEW DELHI : Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel stated that Gujarat has successfully realized Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a Port-Led Economy to revive the state’s maritime heritage through Port-Led Development. With Gujarat leading the country in cargo handling, contributing 38% of the total, the state stands at the forefront of this transformation.
The Chief Minister made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the Indian Maritime Heritage Conclave-2024, organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways of the Government of India in New Delhi. The two-day conclave was inaugurated by Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, and attended by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shri Shantanu Thakur.
Emphasizing Gujarat’s rich and ancient maritime heritage, the Chief Minister noted that with the longest coastline of 1,600 kilometers, Gujarat has been a hub for trade, cultural exchange, and innovation via maritime routes for thousands of years. He further emphasized that the state, transitioning from its historic ports to cutting-edge maritime infrastructure, has become the top destination for global companies and investors. Inspired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the construction of the National Maritime Heritage Museum, Lighthouse Museum, and Open Aquatic Gallery at the ancient port of Lothal will introduce new dimensions to the maritime sector, reflecting the vision of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi.”
Conveying belief in the maritime sector’s key role in achieving the Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat @2047, the Chief Minister outlined Gujarat’s commitment to handling 2,000 MMTPA cargo by 2047. He further elaborated on the state government’s focus on infrastructure investments, greenfield ports, and their expansion as part of the state’s ambitious development goals. The conclave saw the participation of senior officials from various central ministries, as well as representatives from several states.