The recent launch of ‘Bharat Pravah-India along its Shores’, a program directed by the Ministry of Shipping, Waterways, and Ports, underscores the prominent role of rivers, ports, and shipping in India’s day-to-day life. The initiative aims to increase awareness about these sectors through nationwide events. Certain ports like Kochi, Vizhinjam in Kerala, and Galathea Bay in Andaman Nicobar Islands have been making strides towards becoming fully developed transhipment hubs.
Unveiling Bharat Pravah: An In-depth Look
Bharat Pravah seeks to amalgamate stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to envision a more expansive view of shipping, waterways, oceans, and people’s interconnectedness. This platform will cast light on emerging challenges, policy concerns, and future aspirations concerning the maritime sector.
Bharat Pravah showcases multifarious themes ranging from the historical analysis of river and ocean-centric progress in India to the representation of ports and shipping in popular culture. It also delves into the impact of port and shipping activities on India’s development in the past few decades.
Exploring Focus Themes of Bharat Pravah
Certain key themes featured in Bharat Pravah include the politics and economics of port privatization, inland waterways as growth conduits, and their role and significance. The drive also emphasizes environmental sustainability with the notion of ‘greening’ ports and shipping industries. Furthermore, it explores the future management, challenges, and policies facing ports and shipping industries.
Crucial Aspects of Indian Ports
The Indian government has mandated all ports to prepare comprehensive plans to transform into mega ports by 2047. Presently, around 75% of India’s transshipment cargo is managed at ports outside India, with ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Klang handling over 85% of these consignments.
Transshipment hubs are crucial as they connect originating and destination ports. India’s intent to construct digitally superior, eco-friendly mega ports has experienced challenges. Even though India currently handles about 35% of the containerization, compared to 62%-65% by other developing nations, it is steadily moving towards more containerization.
Indian Shipping: Current Status and Challenges
Despite efforts, India’s share in global trade only amounts to a mere 2%. The trade balance leans towards import more than export, reflecting India’s position at 44 on the logistics performance index. A critical reason behind this low ranking is the prevailing lack of appropriate infrastructure and needed procedural reforms. However, with initiatives like Bharat Pravah and ongoing efforts towards digitization and sustainable practices, India aims to bolster its maritime sector for a robust future.