India has partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to roll out its first phase of a Blue Port infrastructure initiative, a framework designed to modernise fishing harbours while embedding sustainability, digital technology, and ecological management at the core of port operations.
The Department of Fisheries announced that three harbours — Vanakbara in Diu, Karaikal in Puducherry, and Jakhau in Gujarat — have been selected for the pilot phase, with a combined investment of ₹369.8 crore. These projects are expected to serve as benchmarks for how India’s fishing ports can transition into hubs of economic activity without compromising environmental balance. Officials explained that the Blue Ports model integrates rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, electric-powered equipment, robust waste management systems, and marine debris clearance mechanisms. By embedding such technologies, the ports are expected to reduce carbon emissions while enhancing resilience against climate-related risks, particularly rising sea levels and cyclonic events that increasingly affect India’s coastal regions.
Experts highlighted that these ports will not merely act as landing points for fishing fleets but will evolve into gateways of inclusive growth. The government has stressed that fisheries are crucial not only for food and nutritional security but also for employment and cultural continuity in India’s coastal communities. Strengthening such infrastructure with sustainability in mind, they said, can help bridge ecological priorities with livelihood resilience. Technology will also play a significant role. According to officials, emerging solutions such as 5G, artificial intelligence, automation, and satellite-based monitoring will be deployed to improve port efficiency and safety. These tools are expected to streamline vessel operations, enhance supply chain traceability, and improve working conditions for fishers, many of whom currently face precarious employment environments.
The FAO’s technical cooperation programme will provide support in investment planning, operational strategies, and capacity building for both public and private stakeholders. Initial upgrades will be piloted at Vanakbara and Jakhau, while Puducherry’s Karaikal port will also be developed under the government’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Together, these pilot projects are seen as the foundation for scaling up smart and sustainable fishing harbours across India’s 7,500 km coastline. Industry experts say that this collaboration reflects a paradigm shift in India’s approach to port development — moving away from conventional infrastructure expansion towards low-carbon, digitally driven, and socially inclusive systems. If implemented successfully, Blue Ports could become a model for other coastal nations grappling with the twin challenges of marine conservation and economic growth.
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