Sarbananda Sonowal

June 24, 2026 5:58 PM

VOC Port emerges as green maritime leader with 45% cut in carbon emissions: Sarbananda Sonowal

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday hailed the transformation of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority into a national model for sustainable maritime development, highlighting its significant achievements in decarbonisation, renewable energy adoption, digital innovation and social infrastructure. Speaking at a series of events held at the port, Sonowal said VOC Port has emerged as one of India’s leading examples of environmentally responsible infrastruct...

May 26, 2026 10:52 AM

Sarbananda Sonowal unveils ‘Maritime Reform Utsav’, pushes digital governance and faster maritime reforms

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), outlining a reform-driven roadmap to accelerate India’s maritime transformation in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.” The meeting focused on strengthening governance, improving ease of doing business, enhancing digital integration, ensuring effective grievanc...

May 8, 2026 11:49 AM

Women’s participation in maritime sector up 340% since 2020: Sarbananda Sonowal at Indian Ocean Dialogue

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday said women’s participation in India’s maritime sector has surged by 340 per cent since 2020, highlighting the government’s efforts to build a more inclusive and future-ready maritime workforce. Addressing the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi, Sonowal said initiatives such as “Sagar Mein Samman” are helping create greater opportunities for women in the maritime sector while promoting dignity, inclusi...

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 ...