New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that maritime sector had a vital role in India's progress and his government was strengthening it through innovative initiatives.
He also said that the Centre was “incentivising a shift towards coastal and inland water transport.”
PM added that India had great potential in the area of shipbuilding, and this should be pursued as part of the 'Make in India' initiative.
He made the remarks when a delegation from the maritime sector, led by Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari, called on him on the occasion of National Maritime Day.
In the course of discussions, PM Modi remarked that India's maritime heritage goes back nearly 5000 years, with the oldest known port being Lothal, a PMO statement said, as per PTI.
He urged all stakeholders to work together to establish a world-class maritime museum, to showcase this glorious aspect of India's history, it added.
Gadkari briefed the PM on plans for skill development in the shipping sector.
PM Modi tweeted about the same on micro-blogging website Twitter:
Met a delegation from maritime sector. Talked about the vast potential in ship-building & on @makeinindia initiative pic.twitter.com/MUsil0bltz
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2015
Maritime sector has a vital role in India's progress & Government is strengthening the sector through innovative initiatives.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2015
Harnessing our demographic dividend, we are making every effort to enhance skill development initiatives in the maritime sector.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2015
About 2000 cadets of Indian Maritime University and its affiliates will receive financial assistance for On-Board Ship Training.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2015
Centre is incentivising a shift towards coastal & inland water transport. We also want to expand presence of IMU in coastal states.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2015
Sagarmala Project will go a long way in ensuring port-led development & make our coasts the gateway to our progress. http://t.co/PH2eG1cCB4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2015
(With PTI inputs)