The government on Wednesday gave ‘in principle’ nod to Sagarmala project, which is aimed at port-led development in coastal states.

“The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today gave its ‘in-principle’ approval for the concept and institutional framework of Sagarmala Project,” an official statement said on Wednesday.

Funds requirement for starting the implementation of projects in initial phase of Sagarmala Project is projected at Rs 692 crore for 2015-16, it said.

The prime objective of the project is to “promote port-led direct and indirect development and to provide infrastructure to transport goods to and from ports quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively,” the statement said.

The Prime Minister had earlier stressed the need for shifting focus from port development to ‘port-led development’ model to maximise gains.

Govt to launch Rs 4,500-cr Nat Supercomputing Mission

The government on Wednesday approved launch of National Supercomputing Mission to connect national academic and R&D institutions with a grid of over 70 high-performance computing facilities at an estimated cost of Rs 4,500 crore.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the launch of the mission that will enable India to leapfrog to the league of world-class computing power nations, an official release said on Wednesday.

Cabinet approves key components of National e-Governance Plan

Government on Wednesday approved the approach and key components of ‘e-Kranti: National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) 2.0’, which aims to enhance the portfolio of citizen centric services and ensure optimum usage of core information and communication technology (ICT).

The Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval for the Approach and Key Components of e-Kranti : National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) 2.0, an official statement said on Wednesday.

This is a follow up to the key decisions taken in the first meeting of the Apex Committee on the Digital India programme held in November, 2014, it added.

Cabinet nod to plan to convert 101 rivers into waterways

In a bid to boost transportation for goods and passengers through waterways, the government on Wednesday gave nod to plans for enactment of a legislation for converting 101 river stretches across the country into National Waterways.

India at present has only five river stretches declared as National Waterways.

“The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for enactment of Central legislation for declaring 101 additional Inland Waterways as National Waterways (NW) for navigation,” an official statement said on Wednesday.

This will create a logistic supply chain with intermodal (Rail, Road and Waterways) connectivity and “would positively contribute to the GDP by opening up business opportunities in the area of dredging, barge construction, barge operation, barge repair facilities, terminal construction…tourist cruise” among others, the statement said.