Sagarmala - GS questions based on daily current affairs

ANSWER: It is a mix of different modes of transport

Explanation:

• Multimodal Mix is using two or more different modes of transport for carrying cargo.
• One of the key objectives of the Sagarmala programme is to reduce the cost of transporting cargo by optimizing the modal mix.
• It has been estimated that the cost per tonne kilometre of moving cargo by sea or inland waterway routes can be 60 to 80 percent lower than road or rail.
• However, the modal share of coastal shipping and inland waterways remains low. Several production and demand centres in India lie close to the coastline and rivers, yet the waterways are under-utilized.
• The National Perspective Plan of Sagarmala envisions projects which have potential for moving raw materials and finished products between these centres using coastal shipping and inland waterways instead of rail or road. The change in modal mix could lead to large amount of savings in logistic costs.

ANSWER: 2, 3, 4

Explanation:

• As part of the National Perspective Plan, prepared under the Sagarmala Programme of the Ministry of Shipping, 7 Multi-Modal Logistic Parks (MMLPs) were proposed in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Telangana, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
• The potential sites were identified based on comprehensive study of the container cargo movement across the country and are located in the proximity of important industrial clusters.
• This will be advantageous for the transportation of containerized cargo.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• Projects have been identified across the areas of Port Modernization & New Port Development, Port Connectivity Enhancement, Port-led Industrial Development and Coastal Community Development.
• To modernize India’s port infrastructure, 5 to 6 new ports have been proposed to be built. There will be modernization of existing ports too.
• The second focus area is port connectivity, where over 80 projects are being planned. These include connectivity infrastructure projects like a heavy-haul rail corridor to evacuate large volumes of coal in Odisha, freight-friendly expressways to enable efficient movement of containers on key routes, and the development of strategic inland waterways.
• The third set of projects aims to tap into the potential of port-led industrialization to boost industrial and export growth along the coastline. This will be realized through 14 Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) along the coastline, each of which will house a number of industrial clusters.
• Finally, the potential of coastal communities will be harnessed by focused skill-development to support port-led industrialization. The set of initiatives under this head also includes developing opportunities for fishermen and other coastal communities as well as development of the numerous islands along India’s coastline.

ANSWER: Sagarmala

Explanation:
- The Centre is going to implement a comprehensive plan to develop Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, for an integrated modernization of the region, under its 'Sagarmala' initiative.
- The plan is to develop these islands under the 'Swiss challenge system', where third parties make offers (challenges) for a project within a designated period to avoid exaggerated project costs.
DEVELOPMENT ROAD MAP
- Island development consultant to be appointed
- Islands with more than two square km of area to be considered for the project
- Phase I: Assessment, shortlisting of islands, creation of island clusters
- Phase II: Identification of development potential and opportunities for shortlisted clusters
- Phase III: Creation of detailed development plans and selection of implementation agency
- Phase IV: Project implementation monitoring