Modi lists blue, green economy as saptadhara; pushes for deep-sea explorations
India's Blue and Green Economy: A New Era of Deep-Sea Exploration
Bharatmorningnews.com – Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the nation's commitment to sustainable development during his Independence Day address from Delhi's historic Red Fort. He positioned both the Green and Blue economies as central pillars among India's seven saptadharas—streams of national strength that will guide the country toward becoming a worldwide leader in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and oceanic research.
Transforming Coastal Waters into Growth Zones
Modi emphasized that a shift in perspective has converted previously restricted coastal regions into active development areas. These zones, once considered off-limits, now offer access to valuable marine resources beyond traditional shoreline boundaries.
"India must achieve global leadership in green hydrogen, renewable energy and energy storage, while continuing to provide solutions to global challenges. The blue economy, too, offers immense opportunities in fisheries, coastal tourism and ocean technology, opening new pathways for India's growth."
The Prime Minister noted that outdated thinking had long hindered India's maritime ambitions. He pointed out that nearly all of the nation's coastline—approximately 99 percent—was designated as a restricted zone, effectively preventing domestic exploration of oceanic resources.
"Today, the country has to remain dependent on crude oil; this is due to our flawed thinking. You will be surprised to know that we declared 99% of our coastline as a no-go area. We ourselves had decided not to go into the ocean for exploration. This was poverty of thought. We have now opened up these areas as go-ahead areas."
Samudra Manthan: A Major Investment in Deep-Sea Resources
On July 31, the Union Cabinet gave approval to the Samudra Manthan initiative, also known as the National Offshore Exploration Scheme. With an allocation of ₹84,084 crore, this comprehensive program targets enhanced deepwater drilling operations for oil and gas by the fiscal year 2030. The scheme aims to strengthen India's energy security through increased domestic fuel production and reliable long-term supply chains.
Modi connected this maritime push to the broader vision of a developed India by 2047, emphasizing that energy independence remains a critical priority for the nation's future.
Accelerating Clean Energy and Infrastructure Development
The Prime Minister showcased India's rapid progress in renewable energy and clean transportation. He highlighted that the country's first hydrogen-powered train has begun operations, marking India as a pioneer in this emerging sector with what he described as the world's longest and most powerful hydrogen train.
"Our trains are running on electricity, and our environment is benefiting. We have not stopped here. We do not want to remain behind the world. You may have heard the news recently. India has entered a new field of fuel as well. The country has started its first hydrogen-powered train. ...It is the world's longest and most powerful hydrogen train, and India has also made its mark in the field of hydrogen trains."
Significant expansion has also occurred in piped gas distribution across the country. Before 2014, approximately 70 cities received piped gas connections, serving roughly 2.2 million households. Within twelve years, this network expanded to cover 700 cities, with ongoing efforts to extend service to nearly 17.5 million households.
Solar energy capacity has experienced equally dramatic growth. Twelve years ago, India's solar installations totaled just 2 gigawatts. Today, that figure has surged to 160 gigawatts, positioning the nation strongly toward its renewable energy objectives.
Government data released on August 9 confirmed that India's installed non-fossil energy capacity has surpassed 300 gigawatts, representing 60 percent of the ambitious 500-gigawatt target set for 2030. Solar power alone contributes more than 160 gigawatts to this achievement.
Through these coordinated efforts in maritime exploration, clean energy, and infrastructure development, India is charting a course toward sustainable economic growth and global leadership in green technologies.
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