Sonowal launches online dredging monitoring system ‘Sagar Samridhi’

New Delhi: Union minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday launched an online dredging monitoring system ‘Sagar Samridhi’, as part of the government’s efforts to expedite the ‘Waste to Wealth’ initiative, the ministry said in a statement.

The launch ceremony was attended by Sudhansh Pant, Secretary of MoPSW, along with 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, the new system represents a significant improvement over the previous Draft & Loading Monitor (DLM) system, it said.

According to the ministry, ‘Sagar Samridhi’ will streamline the monitoring process by integrating multiple input reports, such as daily dredging reports and pre- and post-dredging survey data to generate real-time dredging reports.

The system also offers features such as daily and monthly progress visualization, dredger performance and downtime monitoring, and location tracking data with snapshots of loading, unloading, and idle time. The introduction of this system aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) and the Make in India initiative.

“From now onwards the major Pprts would be able to utilise the Online Dredging Monitoring System and bring about significant change in project implementation and bring down cost of dredging through use of the dredged materials. This will help in environment sustainability and will bring down the operational costs of the ports, bringing in more transparency and efficiency’,” Sonowal said.

“The capabilities of ‘Sagar Samridhi’ include real-time dredging progress reporting, daily and monthly progress visualization, dredger performance and downtime monitoring, and easy location tracking with detailed insights into loading, unloading, and idle time,” the ministry said.

To support effective dredging operations, the MoPSW had issued dredging guidelines for major ports in 2021, which outline procedures for planning, technical investigations, dredged material management, and cost estimation.

In March 2023, an addendum to the guidelines was issued to incorporate provisions for the disposal of dredged material, emphasizing the concept of waste to wealth. The addendum provides a wide range of beneficial uses for dredged material, including construction purposes and environmental enhancement, aiming to reduce dredging costs.

According to the ministry, the annual maintenance dredging at major ports and waterways in India amounts to approximately 100 million cubic mtr, with an expenditure of around ₹1000 crore per year. The implementation of the addendum to the dredging guidelines and the utilization of the ‘Sagar Samridhi’ online monitoring system are expected to significantly reduce dredging costs, improve transparency, and enhance overall efficiency.

Cochin Port and Mumbai Port have already adopted the system, while New Mangalore Port and Deendayal Port are running the system on a trial basis. The MoPSW has mandated all major ports and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to monitor dredging activities through this system, customized by the NTCPWC. The system will be used by both new and upgraded dredgers.