New Delhi: In a landmark announcement during the inauguration of India Maritime Week 2025 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a ₹4,000 crore modernization initiative for the Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL). The announcement, part of the Maritime Amrit Kaai Vision, marks a transformative step in enhancing India’s maritime infrastructure and global competitiveness.
DCIL operates under a consortium of four major ports—Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), Paradip Port Authority (PPA), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA)—under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW). The modernization plan aims to upgrade DCIL’s fleet, boost dredging capacity, and integrate sustainable and digital technologies.
The ₹4,000 crore investment will be directed toward:
- Fleet modernization and capacity enhancement to reinforce India’s dredging infrastructure.
- Construction of new dredgers in Indian shipyards, supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- Adoption of green dredging technologies and automation for sustainable operations.
- Skill development and upskilling of technical manpower to meet global standards.
The Ministry has already approved the procurement of three new Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs). DCIL placed an order for the first 12,000 CuM TSHD—DCI DREDGE GODAVARI—in March 2022, which was launched on 18th October 2025 and is expected to be delivered by July 2026. Orders for the second and third TSHDs are scheduled in the coming months.
Additionally, DCIL plans to procure:
- One Cutter Suction Dredger
- One water injection dredger
- One lower-capacity TSHD for shallow draft dredging
- Six beaver dredgers of varying capacities for inland waterways and canal operations
Speaking at the event, Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS, Chairman of DCIL and Chairperson of Visakhapatnam Port Authority and Mumbai Port, expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and MoPSW for their visionary support. He stated, “Under the Prime Minister’s dynamic leadership, this modernization initiative will transform India’s dredging landscape, positioning DCIL as a technologically advanced, globally competitive enterprise.”
Capt. S. Divakar, Managing Director & CEO (A/C), DCIL, emphasized that the roadmap will empower DCIL to execute complex dredging and reclamation projects with world-class precision. He noted that DCIL’s current fleet of 10 TSHDs, with a combined hopper capacity of 60,000 cubic meters, handles 50–60 million cubic meters of dredging annually—accounting for nearly 55% of India’s total dredging requirement.
The initiative not only strengthens DCIL’s leadership in maintenance dredging but also expands its footprint into capital dredging and inland waterways, aligning with the Government’s push for maritime self-reliance. The announcement was made in the presence of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and senior dignitaries from MoPSW, major ports, shipyards, and global maritime organizations.
This strategic investment supports the goals of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047, reaffirming India’s commitment to leadership in the maritime and blue economy sectors.
