Consider the following statements with reference to the Sagarmala Programme of the 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.

Answer: (b) 1 and 2

Growth in coastal shipping and port rankings validates the port-led strategy (1); Sagarmala 2.0 extends it into innovation (2).

The idea

Port-led development connects efficient ports with inland transport, nearby industry and coastal livelihoods. Better cargo movement can lower logistics costs and support economic activity. A later innovation programme can extend that purpose; adding technology does not contradict building infrastructure.

Port capacity and cargo handling improve → Road, rail and waterway links connect the hinterland → Cargo spends less time waiting or changing modes → Transport costs can fall → Nearby industry and services benefit → Technology and new maritime activities extend the approach

Why the others are wrong

(a) Misses how Sagarmala 2.0 builds on the original aims.

(c) Relationship 3 invents a contradiction — 2.0 builds on 1.0.

(d) Relationship 3 invents a contradiction.

The trap

Relationship 3 uses “only … instead of” — a false either/or.

Elimination technique

Relationship 3 assumes that infrastructure and innovation exclude each other. Nothing in statement I imposes that restriction. Rejecting 3 removes (c) and (d); relationship 2 then distinguishes (b) from (a).

Also know

A hinterland is the inland area served by a port. Coastal shipping moves cargo along the coast; inland waterways use rivers and canals. Sagarmala concerns port-led development, while Bharatmala concerns road connectivity. National Waterway 1 follows the Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly system from Prayagraj to Haldia.