India's Maritime Reforms Celebrated in Nationwide Festival

Marking a significant milestone, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will organize the 'Maritime Reform Festival' across India to celebrate 12 years of reforms in the maritime sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced the initiative during a senior officials' meeting, noting that the sector has witnessed accelerated growth with reforms directly impacting citizens and boosting India's global standing as a maritime power. The festival will spotlight achievements in port development, inland waterways, green shipping initiatives, coastal infrastructure, and digital connectivity. Discussions at the meeting focused on reinforcing good governance, streamlining business processes, advancing digital integration, and ensuring major projects meet deadlines. A special emphasis was laid on building responsive institutional frameworks and strengthening inter-ministerial coordination. To enhance service delivery, the ministry approved the creation of a unified digital platform and mobile application under the Directorate General of Shipping. This system will enable real-time access to services, digital documentation, and integrated grievance mechanisms. Sonowal instructed officials to establish a Monitoring and Coordination Committee to track outcomes, commitments, and strategic initiatives, ensuring efficient implementation across states and port authorities.