New Delhi: Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu has emphasised the role of the blue economy in fast-tracking India’s growth.

The CAG stated at a seminar on the possibilities and challenges in the Blue Economy that there are nearly 199 harbours, including 12 main terminals that process roughly 1,400 million tonnes of cargo annually. Besides, India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, which spans an area of more than 2 million sqkm, is rich in both living and non-living resources, including sizeable exploitable resources like natural gas and petroleum oil, he added.

India’s 7,517 km of shoreline is home to 1,382 islands and 9 maritime states. Over 4 million fishers and other coastal populations rely on the coastal industry for their livelihood.

“With these extensive marine interests, the blue economy holds a significant prospective role in India's economic development. If sustainability and socioeconomic welfare are maintained as priorities, it may very well be the next booster of Income and well-being,” Murmu said.

In 2022–2023, India will retain the G20 Presidency, and CAG will serve as SAI20's head.

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