Consider the following statements with reference to the Sagarmala Programme of Government of India : I. The Sagarmala Programme seeks to achieve port-led economic growth through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure. II. The success of the Sagarmala Programme is reflected in significant growth in coastal and inland waterway shipping along with improved global port rankings. III. Sagarmala 2.0 aims to position India as a global maritime innovation hub aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047 visions. Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ? 1. Statement II validates the effectiveness of the strategies envisioned in statement I. 2. Statement III extends the objectives of statement I by embedding them into a future-oriented innovation framework. 3. Statement I contradicts statement III by focusing only on traditional infrastructure instead of modern innovation.

Option (B) — Relationships 1 and 2 are correct

• The Sagarmala Programme, launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, aims at port-led development by harnessing India's 7,500 km coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways, and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes.
• Its pillars include port modernisation, port connectivity enhancement, port-linked industrialisation, coastal community development, and coastal shipping and inland waterways transport.
• Sagarmala 2.0 envisions transforming India into a global maritime hub with focus on shipbuilding, ship repair, recycling, green shipping, and innovation, aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.
• India's improved rankings in the Logistics Performance Index and growth in coastal shipping tonnage validate the programme's outcomes.

• Relationship 1. Statement II validates the effectiveness of strategies in Statement I: Correct. The observed growth in coastal and inland waterway shipping and improved port rankings demonstrates the success of the port-led, cost-effective infrastructure vision in Statement I.
• Relationship 2. Statement III extends objectives of Statement I into a future innovation framework: Correct. Sagarmala 2.0 builds upon the original port-led growth model by adding innovation, sustainability, and long-term national vision elements.
• Relationship 3. Statement I contradicts Statement III: Incorrect. Statement I provides the foundational infrastructure-based approach upon which Statement III's innovation-driven vision is built; they are complementary, not contradictory.