Exclusive: Indian cruise tourism sector to produce over 2 lakh jobs in 5 years, says Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

India will produce 2 lakh jobs over the next five years in the cruise tourism sector apart from indirect jobs, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal tells Zee Business Executive Editor Swati Khandelwal in an exclusive interview.

He said that there was no doubt that a policy was required on cruise tourism and that it must be brought going forward. He said that it is necessary to bring policy, programme and practice in this area.

He said that a task force was made with the Ministry of Tourism Secretary as the Chairman and a Shipping Ministry Secretary as Vice Chairman. They have already done meetings over eight times and have done significant work. A high level advisory has also been constituted which will help the task force.

This will enable job creation among other things, the Union Minister said.   

India must prepare for creating the skills or quality human resources required in the cruise tourism sector, he added.

It is important to impart training to the professionals in the hospitality sector so that the tourists which come from outside India also feel at home, the minister emphasised.

He said that despite challenges because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War and other factors it has been able to achieve all time records in cargo handing at Indian ports.

He said that under the Sagar Mala project, 802 projects have been identified out of which half of the projects ar almost complete, the Minister informed.

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Meanwhile, another 260 projects are at various stages of implementation.

India will be investing over 6 lakh crore in these projects, he further said.   

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For holistic development of coastal districts, the government has included 59 projects. The government will be doing small projects is different districts.

In all these projects government has done consultations with respective Member of Parliament of these costal districts. The decisions have ben taken by the apex committee of the Sagar Mala projects.        

In all, 1500 projects will be implemented by 2035.

Once the projects are completed, India will be at par with the ports of any developed country, he further said.

He said that India has been able to achieve its target of USD 400 billion that was set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.