CFP: India’s East Coast Rising – Maritime, Infrastructure, Industrial and Energy Hub

The National Economic Forum invites Master's students, early-career researchers, and policy-oriented experts to submit a research article for our July Newsletter, examining the opportunities, challenges, and future of India's East Coast as a catalyst for national growth.

Details of the Theme

• Deadline: 25th July 2026

India's East Coast is emerging as a strategic driver of the country's economic transformation. While the western coast has historically dominated maritime trade and industrial development, the eastern seaboard particularly Kakinada, Visakhapatnam (Vizag), and Rajahmundry is witnessing rapid growth in ports, logistics, energy infrastructure, manufacturing, and multimodal connectivity. Supported by initiatives such as the Act East Policy, Sagarmala, PM Gati Shakti, and the National Logistics Policy, the region is well-positioned to become India's gateway to the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia. As investments continue to reshape its economic landscape, the East Coast presents a compelling opportunity to emerge as an alternative maritime and industrial growth engine.

Suggested Sub Themes

• Maritime ports and port-led industrial development.
• Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, and Rajahmundry as emerging industrial and energy hubs.
• East Coast versus West Coast: Rebalancing India's economic geography.
• Logistics, multimodal connectivity, and infrastructure development.
• Energy transition, green hydrogen, offshore energy, and petrochemicals.
• The Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific connectivity, blue economy, and sustainable coastal development.

Publication Details

Selected articles will be published in our July Newsletter, which is released in both online and printed formats. The printed edition is widely distributed to key economic central and state government departments, policy institutions, major industry & trade organisations and senior officials, ensuring strong visibility among policymakers, academics and industry leaders.

Preferred Format for Research Articles

• Length: 1000-1500 words
• Referencing Style: APA
• Submissions should demonstrate rigorous methodology,
• use of recent datasets, and clear economic reasoning. Interdisciplinary approaches combining economics, energy policy and international relations are welcome.

Submission Email: writetous@nef.org.in