Sarbananda Sonowal

April 29, 2026 9:59 PM

India plans 62 new vessels with Rs 51,383 crore investment to boost Atmanirbhar shipping: Sarbananda Sonowal

India is set to significantly expand its maritime capacity with plans to add 62 vessels in FY 2026–27, backed by an investment of ₹51,383 crore, as part of a broader push towards self-reliance in the shipping sector, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Wednesday. Chairing a high-level inter-ministerial review meeting amid evolving developments in the Strait of Hormuz region, Sonowal outlined a roadmap to increase India’s shipping capacity by 2.85 mil...

April 10, 2026 10:32 PM

90% cargo backlog cleared at major ports amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions: Sarbananda Sonowal

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said that nearly 90% of cargo backlog at India’s major ports has been cleared following swift government intervention amid disruptions linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Chairing a high-level review meeting with senior officials and port authorities, the minister said timely monitoring and coordinated action helped restore normal port operations and minimise the impact on trade. “We acted swiftly and in a...

April 5, 2026 4:05 PM

Major ports handle record 915 million tonnes cargo in FY26, surpass target

India’s major ports have recorded a strong performance in the financial year 2025–26, collectively handling 915.17 million tonnes (MT) of cargo, surpassing the annual target of 904 MT, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) said on Sunday. The cargo throughput marks a year-on-year growth of 7.06 per cent, reflecting improved efficiency, capacity expansion, and sustained momentum in the maritime sector. The achievement is seen as a key milestone in advancing India’s ambition...

March 19, 2026 12:10 PM

Centre approves Rs 472 crore road over bridge to boost Tuna-Tekra port connectivity

The Union government has approved a ₹472 crore project to construct a Road Over Bridge (ROB) along with associated infrastructure at Tuna-Tekra, in a move aimed at strengthening port connectivity and improving cargo evacuation. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the project will play a key role in enhancing logistics efficiency and supporting India’s growing maritime sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The project includes the ...

March 5, 2026 4:59 PM

India to build first riverine lighthouses on Brahmaputra to boost navigation and tourism

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday laid the foundation stones for four riverine lighthouses along the Brahmaputra River, marking the first time lighthouse infrastructure will be established on an inland waterway in the country. The foundation ceremony was held at Lachit Ghat and was organised jointly by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping...

February 2, 2026 12:11 PM

Lok Sabha begins 18-hour debate on President’s Address

The Lok Sabha will on Monday take up the discussion on the President’s Address, with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal set to move the motion of thanks to the President for her address to the joint sitting of Parliament on January 28. According to the list of business, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya will second the motion. The House has allotted 18 hours for the discussion, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to reply on February 4. The Lok Sabha will convene at 11 am to take up the ag...

January 30, 2026 1:22 AM

India to develop Hydrogen Hub at Kandla under National Green Hydrogen Mission

India is stepping up its green energy transition with the development of a Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to produce and export around 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen over the next five to six years. The initiative is a key part of India’s long-term strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said India’s future energy landscape ...

January 14, 2026 10:21 PM

Union Minister Sonowal proposes India-Oman green shipping corridor as ancient stitched vessel reaches Muscat

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed the crew of the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Kaundinya at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, calling the arrival more than just the completion of a voyage, but a celebration of deep-rooted civilisational ties. The Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways said the arrival of the traditionally built stitched sail vessel in the Omani capital symbolises the enduring friendship between India and Oman, anchored in history, strengthened by trade and mutual respect...

January 4, 2026 3:50 PM

Sarbananda Sonowal stresses press freedom, welfare delivery in people-centric governance model

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday underlined the vital role of the media as the fourth pillar of democracy, describing journalists as vigilant sentinels of society and the true voice of the people. Addressing the 17th Central Mid-Term Conference of the Assam Press Correspondents’ Union (APCU) in Tinsukia, he said a free, responsible and ethical press is essential for safeguarding democratic values in a rapidly changing information landscape. Emphas...

January 1, 2026 10:11 AM

India’s first maritime NBFC begins lending operations, sanctions ₹4,300 crore

Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), India’s first maritime-focused non-banking financial company (NBFC), has formally begun lending operations, sanctioning loans worth about ₹4,300 crore, marking a key step in strengthening the country’s maritime finance ecosystem. The loan sanctions were approved at the company’s 51st board meeting held on December 30, 2025. With this, SMFCL has entered the maritime lending space in line with its board-approved strategy. The move follows an ...