Coastal connectivity and digital technology are set to drive the next big growth phase for Indian ports, top officials said at the second CII Conference on Ports and Logistics held in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.Speaking at the event themed “The Visakhapatnam Pivot – Building an Integrated East Coast Logistics Corridor”, Railway Board Additional Member (Traffic) Devendra Kumar called ports the “gates to prosperity”, He emphasised that smooth railway links between sea ports, factories, and interior markets are vital to handling growing cargo volumes.To speed up operations, the Ministry of Railways is rolling out freight reforms, expanding track capacity, and considering limited access to its digital tracking systems for better cargo visibility. Mr. Kumar noted that setting up the new South Coast Railway Zone headquarters in Visakhapatnam will solve local supply chain bottlenecks much faster, especially for cargo moving from mineral-rich states like Odisha and Jharkhand.Big goals for A.P.Under the Swarna Andhra Vision 2047, the State aims to transform its 1,053 kms coastline into a premier logistics hub. R. Dhananjayulu, Advisor to the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board, revealed that the state is investing ₹17,400 crore across three new port projects to expand beyond its current 300 million tonne capacity. Tech initiatives are also in the works, including a unified digital logistics dashboard to connect data from roads, rail, ports, and warehouses.Addressing operational challenges, Visakhapatnam Port Authority Deputy Chairperson Roshni Aparanji Korati highlighted ₹334 crore worth of road and flyover projects designed to ease traffic over railway crossings.CII leaders, including Vice Chairman Dr. G. Sambasiva Rao, called for better links between industrial parks and ports, targeting a cargo growth leap from 198 million tonnes to 500 million tonnes.Industry leaders urged closer coordination between private companies and government agencies to unlock the region’s trade potential. Published - August 06, 2026 06:50 pm IST