India's coastline can become engine of growth: PM Modi at Maritime Summit

Deals worth Rs. 82, 000 crore are expected to be signed during the 3-day summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the Maritime India Summit to be held at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre in Goregaon from April 14 to 16.

This is India's first ever Maritime Summit.

Follow live updates here:

11: 18 am: "250 projects are being offered at this #MaritimeSummit, over 100 under the Sagarmala project."

11: 13 am: " 94 million capacity was added by all ports in last two years despite slowdown"

11:07 am: We have taken several reforms to make India a global manufacturing hub. Moody has appreciated the make in india initaitive: PM Modi

11:06 am: " I call upon the international community to partner with us for port led development that will be an engine of growth," PM Modi says.

11: 05 am: Our vast coast line of 7500 km offers vast investment opportunities: PM Modi

11: 00 am: Ambedkar had great foresight on how to best utilise water resources and how to improve irrigation: PM Modi

10: 57 am: Climate change is causing a lot of concern. This forum must address that issue: PM Modi

10: 55 am: Oceans cover 70% of earth's surface and that is why maritime trade is important: PM Modi

10: 50 am: PM Modi releases national perspective plan of the Sagarmala programme.

10: 26 am: Sagarmala will open up vast investment opportunities, Mr. Gadkari said. He has welcomed everyone to invest in the maritime sector. Assures all help.

10:25 am: "4,200 crore being invested to make river Ganga navigable spaning 1,620 kms"

10: 23 am: "7500 kms of coastline offer a lot of oportunities in coastal shipping," Mr. Gadkari says.

10: 20 am: Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari starts speaking, says seaborne trade from India has doubled in 8 years.

10: 19 am: Mr. Modi pays homage to B. R. Ambedkar on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary.

10: 15 am: Prime Minister Modi arrives at the inauguration hall.

10: 00 am: Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis wait on the dias as Prime Minister is expected shortly.

09: 50 am: The Ministry of Shipping is providing investment opportunities in the development of green field ports, modernization and development of new berths and terminals at existing ports.

09: 40 am: Delegates, CEOs and speakers from 41 countries will participate in the summit.

09: 35 am: The Ministry of Shipping has identified projects across the spectrum of the maritime sector which will be offered to domestic and foreign investors.

09: 27 am: Prime Minister Modi arrives at the venue, 15 minutes before his scheduled arrival.

09: 20 am: Kim Young-suk, Minister for Ocean and Fisheries, Republic of Korea is one of the delegates participating in the summit.

09: 15 am: The inaugural function of Maritime India Summit to begin at 10.25 am. The hall is packed with national and international delegates.

09: 10 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier tweeted about the Maritime Summit saying:

On this special day will attend programmes across India. First heading to Mumbai for the Maritime India Summit. >pic.twitter.com/hiy6mEpO63

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >April 14, 2016