New Mangalore Port to handle 100 million tonnes by 2047: Sonowal

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has announced that the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) is projected to handle 100 million tonnes of cargo by 2047, aligning with the government’s long-term Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, a roadmap for India’s maritime transformation over the next two decades.

Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of NMPA, Sonowal highlighted the port’s significant progress since its inauguration in 1975, when it handled just 90,000 tonnes in its initial year. In 2024–25, the port managed 46.7 million tonnes, reflecting its growing role in India’s maritime network.

Sonowal also reiterated the Centre’s goal for India to emerge among the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030, and to rank within the top five shipbuilding countries by 2047. As part of the development blueprint for New Mangalore Port, a roadmap has been drawn up to increase the port’s profits tenfold over the next decade, with the Minister emphasising that all development initiatives will involve local community participation.

At the event, Sonowal unveiled 16 major infrastructure projects and 113 CSR initiatives worth ₹1,500 crore, marking a significant expansion of the port’s capacity and sustainability initiatives. He said the milestone reflects the broader vision outlined under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aim to strengthen port infrastructure, logistics, inland waterways, green shipping, and cruise tourism. He also noted that MoUs worth over ₹12 lakh crore were signed at India Maritime Week 2025, including ₹52,000 crore committed by NMPA.

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, Prahlad Joshi, who also attended the event, said his ministry is working closely with the Directorate General of Shipping to promote the use of green hydrogen as a marine fuel, advancing efforts toward clean and sustainable shipping.

Member of Parliament Capt. Brijesh Chowta added that Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has agreed to hand over the Port Connectivity Road between B.C. Road and Surathkal to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Gadkari has also approved the preparation of a detailed project report for a bypass road linking NH 66 and NH 75, and the Centre has formed a Joint Working Group to study the feasibility of constructing an integrated road and rail tunnel in the Shiradi Ghat section.

Sonowal said the Central government is collaborating closely with Karnataka and other states to help India become the world’s leading economy by 2047, with maritime infrastructure playing a key enabling role.