Day 2 of BIMSTEC Conclave focuses on maritime cooperation, tourism potential and port reforms
Subject experts moderated the sessions, offering insights into key regional challenges, while eminent speakers shared practical perspectives and solutions. The day opened with a session on boosting intra-regional trade—currently at just 7%—through streamlined customs, removal of regulatory hurdles, and improved logistics to ensure seamless cargo movement and port operations. A dedicated panel explored the vast potential for cruise tourism, focusing on collaborative promotion of cruise circuits, eco-tourism, and heritage-based coastal tourism, drawing on the region's rich biodiversity and cultural legacy. Another session outlined strategic roadmaps for BIMSTEC port collaboration, emphasizing sustainable development, innovation, and global best practices. The final technical session stressed the need to upskill the maritime workforce through public-private partnerships in maritime education, shipbuilding, and port management to build a competitive talent base. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal visited Hindustan Shipyard in the morning and later reviewed key issues at the Dredging Corporation of India. Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) Chairperson M. Angamuthu also participated in the conclave.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
In Delhi, Fadnavis Pitches ₹10,000 Crore Fertiliser Plant for Vidarbha
Nagpur: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has proposed a ₹10,000 crore fertiliser plant in Nagpur district, positioning it as a game-changing investment to revive Vidarbha's agrarian economy. The proposed project, a joint venture between GAIL, the department of fertilizers, and the state government, will have an annual production capacity of 12.7 lakh tonnes. During a meeting with Union health minister JP Nadda in Delhi, Fadnavis—who is on a two-day visit to the national capital—requested central subsidy and policy clearance. "This will be a transformative project for Vidarbha," the CM said, highlighting its dual impact on rural employment and fertiliser availability. Nadda responded by instructing the state to submit a cabinet proposal. Fertilizers secretary Ratak Kumar Mishra was also present at the meeting. Fadnavis' visit included a series of high-level meetings to accelerate approvals for major infrastructure and environmental projects. In a meeting with finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, he sought clearance from the ministry of economic affairs for five international funding proposals. These included ₹8,651 crore from the Asian Development Bank to connect villages with concrete roads, ₹4,326 crore for coastal protection, and another ₹4,326 crore to treat municipal wastewater for industrial reuse. Two additional proposals, routed through the World Bank, were also discussed. Sitharaman, acknowledging Maharashtra's financial discipline, assured full cooperation. "Maharashtra has maintained strong economic indicators on every front," she said. Finance secretary Anuradha Thakur, chief economic advisor to the CM Praveen Pardeshi, and principal secretary Ashwini Bhide attended the meeting. Fadnavis also pushed for a ₹22,490 crore rural road network project covering 14,000 km under the ministry of rural development. These 25-year maintenance-free roads, supported by ADB funding, are expected to ease transportation for farmers. Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the plan and lauded the state's performance in housing schemes. "The central govt has sanctioned a record 30 lakh homes for the state," he noted. At NITI Aayog, Fadnavis discussed projects worth ₹4,326 crore each, including the use of artificial intelligence for non-communicable disease (NCD) screening and bamboo-based industrial clusters. He also presented progress updates on the ₹8,651 crore Marathwada Water Grid, the Damanganga-Godavari river-link project, and a skill development plan linking ITIs with private industry. The commission assured timely clearances. "Despite the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) limit of 25%, Maharashtra has stayed within 18%," said CEO BVR Subrahmanyam, commending the state's fiscal prudence.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
On drawing board, new roads to bypass eway gridlocks, cut travel time from Gurgaon to Delhi
Gurgaon: If the govt has its way, a series of proposed road projects will help streamline commuting between Delhi and the city, reducing travel time for thousands of commuters. These projects include construction of a direct road from Gurgaon bus stand to Dwarka Expressway (Old Najafgarh Road) via CRPF Chowk, a stretch from Rajiv Chowk to Signature Towers via Baba Prakaspuri Chowk and Old Railway Road and an elevated road over Sirhaul border. City MLA Mukesh Sharma recently met Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari, seeking support to construct these roads. "Presented three key demands to the union road transport minister, who took them seriously and immediately issued directives to the highways authorities," said Sharma. He also said the proposed direct road connectivity from Gurgaon bus stand to Dwarka Expressway via CRPF Chowk and Kamdhenu Gaushala would provide faster access to sectors 4, 5, Ashok Vihar and Palam Vihar among other residential areas. On June 3, MLA Sharma, accompanied by MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya and other officials, had conducted a site inspection to explore reconstruction possibilities. This new route is expected to alleviate congestion for daily commuters, facilitating smoother travel. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon Another proposal involves construction of a road from Rajiv Chowk to Signature Tower via Baba Prakashpuri Chowk and Old Railway Road. This stretch would connect busy market areas and major intersections, thereby reducing traffic strain on these zones. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Decongestion of Delhi-Gurgaon border at Sirhaul was also a topic of discussion as severe congestion is frequently reported at the city's entry point near Ambience Mall for traffic moving between Delhi and Gurgaon. To tackle this, the minister was requested to construct an elevated road by NHAI to ensure smooth traffic flow on NH-8. Sharma said Gadkari promptly issued directives to the departments. "Traffic snarls are a crucial aspect of urban development," he said. The Union road transport ministry has already announced it will explore the possibility of building an elevated road from Mahipalpur to Manesar as an upper deck of Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway after a meeting with Union minister Rao Inderjit Singh in 2022.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
CM seeks Centre's nod, funding for major infra projects in state
Mumbai: CM Devendra Fadnavis sought permission from the Union finance ministry to secure loans from the World Bank and other financial institutions for various projects in the state. At a meeting with Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman , Fadnavis sought permission for a loan of Rs 8,651 crore from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for building concrete roads in villages with a minimum population of 1,000 persons. Assistance of Rs 4,326 crore was sought for tackling the rising sea level in the state, and the third project is to process sewage and use the treated wastewater for industries, for which another Rs 4,326 crore is required. The CM also submitted a proposal to the Union Ministry of Rural Development to build 14,000 km of roads in Maharashtra. Fadnavis also met with Union home minister Amit Shah at Parliament House for 25 minutes. He later met Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Manohar Lal Khattar, and Haryana CM Naib Singh Saini. tnn You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai
