Shortly after taking over as the Ministry's head, Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, participated in a workshop with MoPSW officials to set goals to be met as the Modi 3.0 Government approaches its 100th day of operation. Sonowal also went over the goals and promised to do all in her power to make them a reality. Along with other attendees at the conference were young professionals, directors, assistant section officers, joint secretaries, and TK Ramachandran, the secretary of MoPSW. Sonowal stated that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation was progressing towards becoming one of the top 3 global economies. He emphasised that while this was a significant achievement, it would not be attained easily. As the primary and predominant logistical ministry of the country, it was imperative to devise a roadmap for establishing a network of modern ports, which would serve as drivers of progress and prosperity, thus creating opportunities for the nation. He mentioned that the meeting held to set targets for the forthcoming 100 days of Modi 3.0 Government should be seen as a milestone in the continuous effort to innovate, enhance capacity, ensure quality, and improve the performance of Indian ports, thereby strengthening the Indian maritime sector. During the workshop, Sonowal encouraged discussions, emphasising the commitment towards efficient and effective administration and management to achieve these targets. His involvement highlighted a dedication to fostering a collaborative and transparent working environment within the ministry. Sonowal instructed the team to prioritise programmes and initiatives according to the targets set for the 100 days of Modi 3.0 Government. Sonowal also remarked that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways played a crucial role in the country's economic growth. As custodians, there was a significant opportunity to contribute to the principle of 'Nation First' by constantly innovating to enhance the performance of ports based on quality and efficiency. He stressed the importance of embracing cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices, and strategic collaborations to achieve these essential goals and ensure that the marine sector remained competitive and resilient in a rapidly evolving market environment. In order to better appreciate how the objectives are intended to expedite the completion of important initiatives, optimise workflow, and improve the ministry's overall effectiveness, a discussion of the generated targets was held during the meeting. Important initiatives like modernising key ports, expanding the capacity of interior waterways, and supporting marine education and training are all included in the 100-day plan.
