New Delhi: In a significant move to accelerate the ‘Waste to Wealth’ initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, along with Ayush, launched the ‘Sagar Samriddhi’ online dredging monitoring system recently. The event was attended by Secretary of MoPSW Sudhansh Pant, senior officials from the ministry, major ports, and organisations.
Developed by the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), the technological arm of MoPSW, this new system marks a substantial improvement over the old Draft and Loading Monitor (DLM) system. By integrating multiple input reports such as daily dredging reports, pre- and post-dredging survey data, and real-time dredging reports, the ‘Sagar Samriddhi’ monitoring system brings synergy to the dredging process. It offers features like daily and monthly progress visualisation, dredger performance and downtime monitoring, and easy location tracking with snapshots of loading, unloading, and idle time. The system aligns with the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and the Make in India campaign spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the launch, Sonowal emphasised the importance of applying technology for monitoring systems to minimise human error and achieve the vision of zero defects and zero effect, as outlined by Prime Minister Modi. He highlighted how major ports can now utilise the online dredging monitoring system to bring about significant changes in project implementation, reduce the cost of dredging through the reuse of dredged materials, promote environmental sustainability, and enhance transparency and efficiency.
Secretary Sudhansh Pant stated that the monitoring system is expected to improve productivity, contract management, and effective reuse of dredged materials, aligning with the waste-to-wealth concept. In 2021, MoPSW issued the ‘Dredging Guidelines for Major Ports,’ outlining procedures for planning, technical investigations, dredged material management, and cost estimation. An addendum to these guidelines was issued in March 2023, incorporating provisions for the disposal of dredged material and promoting ‘Waste to Wealth’. The addendum suggests a range of beneficial uses for dredged material, including construction purposes and environmental enhancement, such as beach nourishment, to reduce dredging costs.
With approximately 100 million cubic metres of annual maintenance dredging at major ports and waterways, costing around Rs 1,000 crores each year, the implementation of the addendum and the ‘Sagar Samriddhi’ online dredging monitoring system is expected to significantly reduce dredging costs while enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Presently, Cochin Port and Mumbai Port have already adopted the system, while New Mangalore Port and Deendayal Port are undergoing trial runs. MoPSW has now made it mandatory for all major ports and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to monitor dredging activities through this system, with customisations from NTCPWC. The new system will be used by both new and upgraded dredgers.
The NTCPWC, established under the Sagarmala Programme of MoPSW with an investment of Rs 77 crores, is located at IIT Madras and was inaugurated by the Minister on April 24, 2023. The centre aims to enable research and development for the marine sector, contributing to the growth of a robust marine industry in the country.
This state-of-the-art centre has world-class capabilities for undertaking 2D and 3D investigations of research and consultancy nature for the Port, Coastal, and Waterways sector across all disciplines. Modelling of Ocean, determining the Coastal and Estuarine Flows, Sediment transport and morph dynamics, planning of Navigation and Manoeuvring, estimation of Dredging and Siltation, consultancy in Port and Coastal Engineering – designing the Structures and Breakwaters, Autonomous Platforms and vehicles, Experimental and CFD modelling of flow and Hull interaction, Hydrodynamics of multiple hulls, Ocean renewable energy coupled with port facilities are some of the areas where NTCPWC has already contributed to optimise capability of marine sector of India. The laboratories created are among the best in comparison with other International Labs in the specific domain.
