Indian ports average turnaround time reduced to less than one day: Sonowal
New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Indian ports' average turnaround time has reduced from four days to less than one day, outperforming many advanced nations, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.
Addressing the 'Maritime Financing Summit 2025', Sonowal said India, as a maritime nation, is undergoing a transformative shift backed by strong policy support and growing investment momentum.
'Our ports have significantly improved operational efficiency, with the average turnaround time reduced from 4 days to less than 1 day, outperforming many advanced nations," the Ports, Shipping and Waterways minister said.
With 100 per cent FDI permitted in shipping under the automatic route, simplified customs clearance and the strategic advantage of GIFT City IFSC, Sonowal said India now offers one of the most attractive investment ecosystems in the maritime domain.
'Our goal is clear to make India a global maritime hub not just in trade, but also in finance, shipbuilding and green maritime infrastructure," he said.
According to an official statement, policy measures, like recognising large vessels as infrastructure assets, extending the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) to overcome the cost disadvantage and provide a long-term visibility on the financial incentives available in the sector, were discussed at the Summit.
Capital support for greenfield capacity expansion involving the creation of new shipbuilding clusters and brownfield expansion to enhance existing shipyards' capacity through a coordinated approach between the Centre and states is envisioned, it added. PTI BKS BKS BAL BAL
view comments
First Published:
July 24, 2025, 22:00 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
17 minutes ago
- Hans India
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Go in India at Rs 399 per month
New Delhi: US tech giant OpenAI on Tuesday announced he launch of ChatGPT Go, a new subscription plan aimed at Indian users. ChatGPT Go is available for Rs 399 per month, including GST, payable through UPI. The new plan aims to make advanced AI tools more accessible and affordable for users in India, a company release said. All features in ChatGPT Go are powered by GPT-5, where users can use Indian languages. ChatGPT Go offers ten times higher message limits with GPT-5 compared to the free plan. It offers ten times more image generations daily. Users can upload 10 times more files or images daily. Further, it features a two-times longer memory for personalised responses, the release said. The new option is available alongside existing subscription tiers, including ChatGPT Plus at Rs 1,999 per month, which provides priority access, faster performance, and higher usage limits for power users. Further, OpenAI offers ChatGPT Pro for professionals and enterprises requiring "highest scale, customisation, and access to advanced models" at Rs 19,900 per month, inclusive of GST. Nick Turley, Vice President and Head of ChatGPT, stated that millions of people in India use ChatGPT daily for learning, work, creativity, and problem-solving. ChatGPT Go makes these capabilities more accessible and easier to pay for using UPI, he said. India is ChatGPT's second-largest market and one of its fastest-growing, according to the company. ChatGPT outperformed all competitors in lifetime revenue per install, averaging $2.91. Anthropic's Claude followed at $2.55, while Elon Musk's Grok stood at $0.75. Microsoft's Copilot app lagged at just $0.27. GPT‑5 is available to all users, with Plus subscribers getting more usage and Pro subscribers getting access to GPT‑5 Pro, a version with extended reasoning for even more comprehensive and accurate answers.
Fashion Value Chain
17 minutes ago
- Fashion Value Chain
RAWLS Salon Expands Globally with Dubai Flagship Launch
RAWLS Salon, the Indian luxury salon brand, is set to expand internationally with the launch of its flagship outlet in Dubai, followed by additional global destinations. Headquartered in Gurugram, RAWLS operates successful branches in Faridabad, Gurugram, and Punjab. The brand has established itself as a leader in luxury grooming, blending world-class infrastructure, premium international amenities, advanced technology, and a finely tuned operational framework—all at accessible costs. With strong presence across metros and tier-2 cities, RAWLS is redefining salon hospitality. Upholding its philosophy of 'equity for all,' the brand ensures every client enjoys A1-standard services regardless of budget. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and integrated technology systems provide a seamless, indulgent, and therapeutic experience. 'At RAWLS, we're redefining salon culture in India, taking services from ordinary to extraordinary, without inflating the cost. We believe a salon should be more than grooming; it should be a sanctuary of luxury, care, and rejuvenation for every guest,' said Pawan Aggarwal, Founder & MD of RAWLS. The salon also champions innovation through its Experience to Consumer (E2C) model, which combines luxury with transparency. Its proprietary in-house line, RAWLS Essentials, guarantees complete oversight of all products applied to clients' skin and hair—from formulation to application. 'RAWLS Essentials gives us complete control over what touches our clients' skin and hair from formulation to application. This ensures every product meets the highest standards of quality, safety and transparency,' said Nidhi Aggarwal, Co-Founder & COO. In India, RAWLS is preparing to open a flagship destination on Gurugram's Golf Course Road, setting new benchmarks in luxury salon experiences. Expansions are also underway in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, and Amritsar. Globally, the brand is moving ahead with its Dubai debut, with more overseas launches on the horizon.
The Hindu
17 minutes ago
- The Hindu
OpenAI offers ChatGPT Go subscription in India for Rs. 399
OpenAI has announced a new subscription plan for Indian users called ChatGPT Go. The Rs. 399 plan will give users extended access to GPT-5, and the ability to generate more images and analyse more documents and files. Nick Turley, head of ChatGPT, made the announcement on X saying, Go subscribers will get '10x higher message limits, 10x more image generations, 10x more file uploads, and 2x longer memory compared with our free tier.' A blog posted by OpenAI noted that these limits could vary based on system conditions to 'ensure a smooth experience for all users.' Starting today, users can subscribe to the plan by logging into ChatGPT, clicking on the profile icon and selecting 'Upgrade Plan.' They can then select the 'Go Plan' and pay via UPI or credit card. Turley said that their goal had always been to make ChatGPT 'more affordable' as it has been a 'key ask from users.' OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said on multiple occasions that India is a vital market for them. During his India tour in February earlier this year, he noted that the country was the second-biggest market for ChatGPT with user base having tripled over the last year. Meanwhile, Aravind Srinivas-led Perplexity AI has been steadily gaining ground here having partnered with Airtel to offer a free 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription. This gives 360 million Airtel subscribers access to Perplexity's chatbot. OpenAI has said that the Go subscription will be expanded to other regions eventually.
