Context:
Lok Sabha has passed two key legislations- the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 and the Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025 aimed at strengthening the coastal shipping and aviation sector.
Maritime Sector:
- India ranks as the 16th largest maritime nation, handling 95% of trade by volume and 70% by value
- India has a coastline of 7,500 km, with 12 major and 200+ minor ports.
- Handles 95% of India’s trade by volume and 70% by value.
- Key Initiatives –
- Sagarmala Programme: Focuses on port-led development.
- Maritime India Vision 2030: Aims to modernize ports and increase cargo handling capacity.
- Shipbuilding and Recycling: India is the 3rd largest ship recycler globally, with Alang as a major hub.
- MAITRI and Sagar AnkalanGreen Tug Transition Program100% FDI in ports and shipping.
- National Logistics Policy to integrate maritime transport with other modes.
Aviation Sector:
- India is the 3rd largest domestic aviation market globally.
- Handles 69% of South Asia’s air traffic
- Contributes 1.5% to GDP and supports 7.7 million jobs.
- Operational airports increased from 74 (2014) to 157 (2024), with a target of 350- 400 by 2047.
- Key Initiatives –
- UDAN Scheme: Enhances regional connectivity.
- Digi Yatra: Promotes seamless and paperless travel.
- Open Sky Policy: Liberalizes international air travel.
- National Civil Aviation Policy 2016
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
With reference to India’s projects on connectivity, consider the following statements:
1. East-West Corridor under Golden Quadrilateral Project connects Dibrugarh and Surat.
2. Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in Manipur and Chiang Mai in Thailand via Myanmar.
3. Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor connects Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh with Kunming in China.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
The East-West Corridor is a part of this project and connects Silchar in Assam to Porbandar in Gujarat. So, Statement 1 is not correct.
The IMT Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in the Indian state of Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand, passing through Myanmar. Statement 2 is not correct.
The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM) is expected to run from Kunming in China, through Myanmar, and Bangladesh, and eventually reach Kolkata in India. So, Statement 3 is not correct.