Lok Sabha Question No. 410 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Strengthening of Port–Rail Connectivity
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *410

ANSWERED ON 20.03.2026

## STRENGTHENING OF PORT-RAIL CONNECTIVITY

*410. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

## Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYSbe pleased to state: पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) whether the Government has formulated a long-term master plan for strengthening port-rail connectivity up to the year 2047; (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  infrastructure  benchmarks  proposed  to  be  achieved  by 2030 and 2047 with respect to freight capacity, multimodal integration and expansion of coastal shipping and inland water shipping; (c) the steps envisaged by the Government to integrate ports and railway networks with emerging industrial corridors under Vision 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat; (d) the measures  proposed by the Government  to improve the hinterland connectivity to ports, especially in landlocked and economically backward States of the country; and whether  the  Government  is  considering  promoting  Public-Private  Partnership (PPP) models to enhance capital availability and ensure streamlined implementation of
- (e) connectivity projects, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *410  FOR  ANSWER  ON20.03.2026  RAISED  BYSHRI DUSHYANT SINGH REGARDING 'STRENGTHENING OF PORT-RAIL CONNECTIVITY'.

- (a) The  Ministry  of  Ports,  Shipping  and  Waterways  (MoPSW)  has  formulated  the Maritime AmritKaal Vision 2047 which has 11 key theme areas of which one theme is 'enhance modal share of coastal shipping & inland water transport' that includes focus on road, rail, inland waterways transport connectivity as well as expansion of existing line. A Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan (CPCP) was prepared by DPIIT in 2022, which identifies rail connectivity projects to strengthen last -mile and hinterland rail and road access  to the ports.  In  furtherance  to  the  CPCP,  MoPSW  conducted  a comprehensive review and consolidation exercise along with Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH) and Ministry of Railway (MoR) of the current and proposed road and rail connectivity projects. MoPSW has been regularly updating the list of road and rail connectivity projects as per the recommendations received from all major ports and other than major ports (OTMP) from time to time.
- (b) The details of the targets proposed to be achieved by Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030  and  Maritime  Amritkal  Vision  (MAV)  2047  with  respect  to  freight  capacity, multimodal integration and expansion of coastal shipping and inland water shipping are as below:

| Parameter                                | Unit   | 2024-25   | Targets as per MIV 2030   | Targets as per MIV 2047   |
|------------------------------------------|--------|-----------|---------------------------|---------------------------|
| Overall Port handling capacity           | MTPA   | 2,771     | 3500                      | 10,000                    |
| No. of operational waterways             | Number | 26        | 23*                       | 50                        |
| Coastal cargo handled                    | MTPA   | 339       | 500                       | 1300                      |
| Cargo volume handled by Inland waterways | MTPA   | 146       | 200                       | 500                       |

* already achieved as number of operational waterways at present are 32

- (c) Under Vision 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Government is integrating  ports and railways by executing the Maritime AmritKaal Vision 2047, which aims for 10,000

MTPA capacity through various initiatives  such  as  Sagarmala  programme,  PMG  Gati Shakti  National  Master  Plan,  Dedicated  Freight  Corridor  (DFC),  National  Industrial Development Program (NICDP). The strategy aims to reduce logistic cost and ensure seamless multimodal connectivity between industrial corridors and ports.

(d) Sagarmala Programme, the flagship initiative of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), focuses on accelerating India's economic growth through port -led development. Under this programme,124 rail connectivity projects have been identified. Of these, 60 projects have been completed, 30 projects are currently under implementation,  and  remaining34  projects  are  under  various  stages  of  planning.  The overall  port  connectivity  initiative  spans  all  coastal  states,  integrating  ports  with  the hinterland  through  enhanced  rail,  road,  and  national  waterway  networks,  ensuring seamless linkages that extend beyond coastal regions.

(e) Indian  Railways  has  formulated  a  Participative  Policy,  2012  to  encourage  the private participation in developing rail connectivity by associating strategic partners and other investors. The policy encompasses five Public Private Partnership models such as Non-government  Rail  (NGR),  Joint  Venture  (JV),  Customer  funded  model,  BuildOperate-Transfer (BOT) and BOT annuity models. Indian Railways has also introduced Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal (GCT) Policy to promote development of rail-linked cargo terminals through private participation. These terminals are envisaged to provide lastmile  rail  connectivity  to  ports,  industrial  corridors,  logistics  parks  and  manufacturing clusters.

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