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Polity & Governance
Mahesh

11/04/23 06:51 AM IST

Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy

In News
  • The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) recently released the draft Sagarmala Innovation and Startup Policy for feedback from stakeholders concerned.
Features of the policy
  • The draft startup policy envisages the creation of a conducive environment for the facilitation of innovation and startups in the maritime sector
  • The new framework is aimed at scaling efficiency in areas such as operation, maintenance, and infrastructure development in the maritime startup ecosystem
  • The new framework envisages the convergence of different schemes and programmes to ‘groom fresh ideas and approaches’ to address ecosystem bottlenecks and scale efficiency in areas such as operation, maintenance, and infrastructure development.
  • The draft identifies several key areas for startup participation-
  • Decarbonisation
  • Optimisation of processes through data
  • Maritime education
  • Multi-modal transportation
  • Manufacturing
  • Maritime cybersecurity
  • Smart communication
  • Marine electronics
  • The policy also envisages the setting up of working spaces and the adoption of these startup-made products and solutions at the ports.
  • The regulatory support under the policy will also cover aspects such as tendering and subcontracting for startups, although it wasn’t clear whether this included government contracts as well
  • Maritime Innovation Hubs (MIHs) will also be set up under the policy to promote maritime startups.
  • Under these MIHs, maritime-specific incubators and accelerators will be established with state-of-the-art facilities, enabling these startups to move from the ideation phase to full-scale deployment.
Sagarmala Program
  • The Sagarmala Programme is an initiative by the Shipping Ministry to utilise India’s 7,500 km of coastline and advantageous location in the Indian Ocean Region.
  • It is a port-led development initiative that aims to enhance infrastructural growth, which will improve logistical competitiveness, increase industrialisation and job creation, and ultimately support the growth of the coastal economy as a whole.
  • It strives to improve connection with major economic centres and beyond by expanding rail, inland water, coastal, and road services. 
  • It also promotes the optimal modal split and develops access to new growth zones.
Source- PIB

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