PM Modi Unveils Rs 34,200 Crore Development Projects in Gujarat, Calls for Self-Reliant India from ‘Samudra se Samriddhi’ Event.
Bhavnagar, Gujarat:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth over Rs 34,200 crore in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, during the ‘Samudra se Samriddhi’ event. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi outlined a bold vision for India’s maritime sector and reiterated the call for a self-reliant nation, stating, “For peace, stability and prosperity in the world, India must become self-reliant. Whether chips or ships, we must make them in India.”
India’s Ocean-Led Growth Vision
Speaking just ahead of the Navratri festivities, the Prime Minister described the event as a celebration of India’s emerging maritime power. He emphasized that 21st-century India now views the oceans as vast avenues of opportunity.
“India’s coastlines will become gateways to national prosperity,” he declared, as he announced the launch and commencement of multiple port-led development initiatives across Gujarat and the nation.
He also inaugurated the International Cruise Terminal in Mumbai, enhancing cruise tourism and connectivity.
Historic Reforms to Revive India’s Maritime Legacy
In a significant announcement, PM Modi declared that large ships have now been granted infrastructure status — a long-awaited reform that will make shipbuilding in India more viable and globally competitive.
“This move will allow shipbuilding companies to access easier and cheaper credit, making Indian firms stronger players in global shipping,” he said.
PM Modi revealed that India currently pays nearly $75 billion (approx. ₹6 lakh crore) annually to foreign shipping companies — almost equal to the nation’s defense budget. He emphasized that this outflow has cost India millions of potential jobs and economic opportunities over decades.
Three Major Schemes for Maritime Sector
The government is working on three major schemes aimed at:
- Easing access to finance for shipbuilders
- Enabling technology adoption
- Enhancing quality and design standards
These initiatives will see a planned investment of over Rs. 70,000 crore in the coming years.
One Nation, One Port, One Document
The Prime Minister announced that from today, all major ports will implement the ‘One Nation, One Document’ and ‘One Nation, One Port’ system. This will eliminate redundant paperwork and streamline logistics, reducing turnaround times and boosting ease of doing business.
Reviving a Forgotten Maritime Power
PM Modi reminded the nation that India once ranked among the world’s top shipbuilding countries. Citing historical precedence, he lamented that misguided policies in the post-independence era shrank India’s share in global shipping trade from 40% to just 5%.
He emphasized that India has the talent, the industrial strength, and now the political will to rebuild its maritime strength. “The time has come to reclaim our maritime legacy,” he declared.
Skill Development and Job Creation
PM Modi underlined the role of ITIs and the Indian Maritime University in building a skilled workforce for the maritime economy. He shared that over 3 lakh Indian seafarers are now employed globally, making India one of the top 3 suppliers of trained maritime personnel.
He also highlighted the Alang Ship Breaking Yard as a thriving example of employment generation in the sector, calling it a model for others.
Economic Multiplier of Shipbuilding
Calling shipbuilding the “Mother of All Industries”, PM Modi shared that each rupee invested in the sector returns nearly double the economic output. Moreover, every 100 shipyard jobs can generate over 600 allied jobs in sectors like steel, IT, electronics, and textiles.
Maritime Heritage and Modernization
To preserve India’s rich maritime history, a world-class maritime museum is under construction at Lothal, which PM Modi said would become a symbol of national pride, akin to the Statue of Unity.
Port-Led Development: Gujarat Leading the Way
Gujarat continues to play a pivotal role, handling 40% of India’s sea cargo, with upcoming connectivity via the Dedicated Freight Corridor further enhancing efficiency.
PM Modi also announced that the Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra, being built at a cost of over Rs. 75,000 crore, will soon be among the world’s top 10 ports. India’s first deep-water container trans-shipment port has also begun operations in Kerala.
Self-Reliance: The Path to a Developed India
The Prime Minister concluded with a strong call for Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), urging citizens to:
“Buy only Indian-made products. Sell only Indian-made goods. Say with pride — this is Swadeshi.”
He called on shopkeepers to display this message in their stores and said that every festival should be a celebration of India’s prosperity.
The event was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Union Ministers C. R. Patil, Sarbananda Sonowal, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Shantanu Thakur, and Nimuben Bambhaniya, along with other dignitaries.
