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PM Narendra Modi reviews progress of 26 islands to boost India's maritime economy

Modi government's Maritime Agenda 2020 involves developing country's vast coastline of 7,500 km and also developing islands besides expanding port capacity to 3,130 MT.

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PM Modi aims to give a boost to India’s maritime economy by ’20
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reviewed the progress made on 'holistic development' of 26 islands to boost India's maritime economy even while preserving the natural ecosystem. Modi government's Maritime Agenda 2020 involves developing country's vast coastline of 7,500 km and also developing islands besides expanding port capacity to 3,130 MT.

The PM reviewed progress at a meeting of NITI Aayog, where a presentation was made on the elements of holistic development, including key infrastructure projects, digital connectivity, green energy, desalination plants, waste management, promotion of fisheries, and tourism-based projects. A statement issued by the PMO said he reviewed the work done in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and emphasised the need for developing an integrated tourism-centric ecosystem, in the areas identified for tourism development. The PM called for expeditious pursuit of energy self-sufficiency in the islands, which could be based on solar energy. He also asked the officials concerned to explore the possibility of seaweed cultivation, and other initiatives which could be of help for the agriculture sector.

The Home ministry representative told the meeting that the requirement of Restricted Area Permit for foreigners visiting the Andaman & Nicobar Islands has been dispensed with. The PMO statement said a greater connectivity of these islands with Southeast Asia was also discussed. During the review of development work in Lakshadweep, Modi was apprised of the steps taken to boost Tuna fishing, and the promotion of Lakshadweep Tuna as a brand "Development of vital infrastructure in both Andaman and Nicobar islands, as well as in Lakshadweep was also discussed," the statement added.

The government had constituted the Islands Development Agency (IDA) on June 1, 2017 after Modi held a review meeting for the development of islands. The ambitious Maritime Agenda 2020 also involves developing 12 coastal economic regions with an estimated investment of Rs 12 lakh crore. These resulting projects would see the development of manufacturing hubs, supported by port modernisation projects. Officials claim that it will result four million direct and six million indirect jobs, and empower coastal communities through skilling programmes.

So far, projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore under Sagarmala programme are at various stages of implementation and development. The 'Project Green Ports' part of this Agenda focuses on sustained growth from an environmental perspective. It aims to install 160.64 megawatts of solar and wind based power systems at all the major ports across the country.

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