Prime Minister announced Rs 4,000 Cr modernization initiative for DCIL
The total investment for procurement of these 11 dredgers and other initiatives is Rs. 4000 Cr. and would enable DCI would place its foot firmly not only in the maintenance dredging market which it is already leading in India but also in Capital dredging, as well as the Inland Waterways, which the Government is putting a lot of impetus.
New Delhi, November 1, 2025: A landmark announcement was made by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the inauguration of India Maritime Week 2025, unveiling transformative initiatives under the Maritime Amrit Kaai Vision. Among these, a major highlight was the Rs 4,000 crore investment dedicated to the modernization of Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL).
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) - functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW). This modernization initiative aims to significantly enhance DCIL's dredging capacity, operational efficiency, and global competitiveness through the acquisition of advanced dredgers, technological upgradation, and sustainable practices. The Rs 4,000 crore investment will focus on: Fleet modernization and capacity enhancement to strengthen India's dredging infrastructure; Construction of new dredgers in Indian shipyards, promoting the 'Make in India' initiative; In this Direction approval of Ministry was already given for procurement three new TSHDs out of which DCI has already placed the order for one 12000 CuM TSHD - DCI DREDGE GODAVARI in March 2022. The vessel was launched very recently on 18th October 2025. The vessel was expected to be delivered in July 2026. It is planned to planned to place the order for another 12000 CuM TSHD in the next few months, and an order for another dredger would follow subsequently.
Further, DCI also plans to procure one Cutter Suction Dredger, a water injection dredger another TSHD of lower capacity to do shallow draft dredging and also six beaver dredgers of different capacities for dredging in inland waterways/ canals etc. Adoption of digital, automation, and green dredging technologies for sustainable operations; and Skill development and upskilling of technical manpower to align with global standards.
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Read Also : Indian Overseas Bank Senior Officer RetiresThe total investment for procurement of these 11 dredgers and other initiatives is Rs. 4000 Cr. and would enable DCI would place its foot firmly not only in the maintenance dredging market which it is already leading in India but also in Capital dredging, as well as the Inland Waterways, which the Government is putting a lot of impetus.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS, Chairman, Dredging Corporation of India Limited and Chairperson, Visakhapatnam Port Authority and Mumbai Port, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the Ministry for their visionary support.
He stated, "Under the Hon'ble 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, DCIL,( A/C) added that the modernization roadmap will empower DCIL to execute complex dredging and reclamation projects with world-class precision. He stated that DCl's current dredging capacity is based on a fleet primarily consisting of 10 Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs) with a combined hopper capacity of approximately 60,000 cubic meters. This fleet enables handling of roughly 50-60 million cubic meters of dredging annually, accounting for nearly 55% of India's total dredging requirement of around 110- 120 million cubic meters per year.
Read Also : NTPC Green Energy signs MoU with CtrlS Datacenter Limited for development of RE ProjectsHe added that DC/ is the leading dredging company in India and this investment would enable to reaffirm its position and also make inroads globally. He remarked, "This strategic investment is a major step toward making DCIL a future-ready organization, contributing meaningfully to India's maritime self-reliance." The announcement was made in the august presence of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon'ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, along with senior dignitaries from MoPSW, major ports, shipyards, and global maritime organizations, during the India Maritime Week 2025 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.
The initiative forms a vital part of the Government's long-term vision to achieve the goals of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047, reaffirming India's leadership in the maritime and blue economy sectors.
Read Also : Prime Minister announced Rs 4,000 Cr modernization initiative for DCIL