Mr Mansukh Mandaviya, a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, has been sworn in as the Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) in the new BJP- led NDA government at the Centre that took office last week.
Mr Nitin Gadkari had held the post with Cabinet rank in NDA 1. He continues as the Cabinet Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
Mr Mandaviya is also Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers in the new government.
Hard work to serve the nation will be his top priority, he said after taking charge.
Mr Mandaviya has the key responsibility of implementing the ambitious Sagarmala project, boosting coastal shipping and inland waterways, and passing key legislation to facilitate further ease of doing business for the stakeholders in the sector, among other things.