Shipping Ministry To Be Renamed As Ministry of Ports, Shipping And Waterways: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday that the Ministry of Shipping will be renamed as the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The prime minister said this while addressing a gathering after the inauguration of a Ro-Pax ferry service between Hazira in Surat and Ghogha in Bhavnagar district. The ferry service will reduce the nearly 370 km road distance between the two places to 90 km by sea route, according to news agency PTI.

“Work is being done so that the country’s sea area emerges as an important part of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. To boost the government’s effort, one more big step is being taken.

“Now, the Ministry of Shipping is being renamed as the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways,” Modi was quoted as saying by PTI.

“It (the ministry) is being expanded. In developed economies, in most places, the shipping ministry also takes care of ports and waterways. In India, the shipping ministry does a lot of work related to port and waterways. Clarity in name will also bring about clarity in work,” the prime minister said.