PM Modi announces Rs 4,000 Cr modernization initiative for DCIL
NEW DELHI : A landmark announcement was made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the inauguration of India Maritime Week 2025, unveiling transformative initiatives under the Maritime Amrit Kaai Vision. Among these, a major highlight was the Rs 4,000 crore investment dedicated to the modernization of Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL).
DCIL operates under a consortium of four major ports – Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), Paradip Port Authority (PPA), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) – functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW). This modernization initiative aims to significantly enhance DCIL’s dredging capacity, operational efficiency, and global competitiveness through the acquisition of advanced dredgers, technological upgradation, and sustainable practices. The Rs 4,000 crore investment will focus on: Fleet modernization and capacity enhancement to strengthen India’s dredging infrastructure; Construction of new dredgers in Indian shipyards, promoting the ‘Make in India’ initiative; In this Direction approval of Ministry was already given for procurement three new TSHDs out of which DCI has already placed the order for one 12000 CuM TSHD – DCI DREDGE GODAVARI in March 2022. The vessel was launched very recently on 18th October 2025. The vessel was expected to be delivered in July 2026. It is planned to planned to place the order for another 12000 CuM TSHD in the next few months, and an order for another dredger would follow subsequently.
Further, DCI also plans to procure one Cutter Suction Dredger, a water injection dredger another TSHD of lower capacity to do shallow draft dredging and also six beaver dredgers of different capacities for dredging in inland waterways/ canals etc. Adoption of digital, automation, and green dredging technologies for sustainable operations; and Skill development and upskilling of technical manpower to align with global standards.