Sagarmala Project funding guidelines are available to download in PDF format on the official website of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways at shipmin.gov.in. India Sagarmala Project works with the broad aim of promoting port-led development across the country, and the funding rules for it have been revised to speed up project work and bring more financial clarity.
The Sagarmala Programme is a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW). It provides financial support for projects under five main pillars, namely port modernization, port connectivity, port-led industrialization, coastal community development, and coastal shipping and inland water transport. As of 24th March 2026, around 845 projects worth about ₹6.06 lakh crore have been taken up under the programme, out of which 315 projects worth ₹1.57 lakh crore have been completed.
Sagarmala Project in India
The Sagarmala Programme was launched in India with the approval of the Union Cabinet on 25th March 2015. The main objectives of Sagarmala Project are as follows:
- Port modernization: Upgrading existing ports and developing new ones to raise capacity and improve how they work.
- New port development: Building new ports to expand India's cargo handling ability along its long coastline.
- Port connectivity enhancement: Strengthening road, rail and water links between ports and the hinterland for faster cargo movement.
- Port-led industrialization: Setting up industrial clusters near ports to cut logistics costs and improve market access.
- Coastal community development: Improving livelihoods, skill training and economic options for people living in coastal areas.
As part of the Sagarmala Project, a National Perspective Plan, April 2016 (NPP) has been prepared for the complete development of the coastline and maritime sector. The programme is run through a multi-tier setup that includes the National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC), the Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) and State Sagarmala Committees (SSCs).
Revised Funding Guidelines
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways revised the Sagarmala Funding Guidelines to bring more financial propriety and speed up project implementation. As per the revised guidelines, the fund contribution from the Sagarmala Programme in any project is limited to 50 per cent of the estimated project cost as per the detailed project report (DPR) or the tendered cost, whichever is lower. However, the Ministry may provide 100 per cent financial assistance for any project where it is needed.
The latest revised guidelines were uploaded on 5th April 2023 and can be downloaded from the funding guidelines page on the Ministry website. The older PDF hosted on the sagarmala.gov.in domain is no longer reachable, so the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways page is the right place to get the current version.
Sagarmala 2.0 and the New Finance Body
Sagarmala 2.0 is the proposed next phase of the programme, building on the work done since 2015. It aims to position India as a global maritime hub through modernization of ports, port-led industrialization, better coastal and hinterland connectivity, and stronger inland waterways and coastal shipping services. The proposed scheme envisages total budgetary support of ₹85,482 crore with a total investment of ₹3.6 lakh crore.
In June 2025, the Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL) was restructured as the Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL). This new body is India's first Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) focused on the maritime sector. It approved loan sanctions of about ₹4,300 crore in December 2025, entering the maritime lending space to support ports, shipping infrastructure and related industries.
Progress and Achievements
The programme has delivered measurable results over the past eleven years. India's major ports handled a record 915 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2025-26, and the average vessel turnaround time came down from 96 hours in 2014 to 49.5 hours in 2025. Nine Indian ports now rank among the world's top 100 ports.
On the funding side, the Ministry sanctioned financial support of ₹272 crore to 9 projects worth ₹1,286 crore under the Sagarmala scheme in Andhra Pradesh. These projects cover Ro-Pax and passenger jetties, fishing harbours, port modernization and skill development. The programme also estimates a cumulative employment potential of around 1 crore jobs, including 40 lakh direct and 60 lakh indirect opportunities.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Sagarmala Project |
| Launched By | Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways |
| Launch Date | 25th March 2015 |
| Main Aim | Port-led development of India |
| Total Projects | Around 845 projects worth ₹6.06 lakh crore |
| Completed Projects | 315 projects worth ₹1.57 lakh crore (as of March 2026) |
| Funding Limit | Up to 50% of project cost (100% in special cases) |
| Official Website | shipmin.gov.in |
FAQ's
Where can I download the Sagarmala funding guidelines PDF?
The latest revised guidelines are available on the funding guidelines page of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways at shipmin.gov.in. The older PDF on the sagarmala.gov.in domain is no longer reachable.
What is the funding limit under the revised Sagarmala guidelines?
Under the revised guidelines, the fund contribution from the Sagarmala Programme is limited to 50 per cent of the estimated project cost as per the DPR or the tendered cost, whichever is lower. The Ministry may give 100 per cent support for select projects.
Is Sagarmala still running in 2026?
Yes, the Sagarmala Programme is still running. Around 845 projects have been taken up, and the next phase, Sagarmala 2.0, has been proposed with ₹85,482 crore of budgetary support.
What is Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited?
It is India's first maritime-focused Non-Banking Financial Company, set up in June 2025 after the restructuring of the Sagarmala Development Company Limited. It provides financial solutions for ports, shipping and related industries.