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Mint
16 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Lok Sabha passes Indian Ports Bill, 2025
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, by voice vote amid continued protests by opposition members of Parliament demanding a discussion on the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The bill proposes modernizing India's port governance, enhancing trade efficiency, and solidifying India's position as a global maritime leader. 'Replacing colonial-era regulations, the bill reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a self-reliant, world-class maritime sector,' said the Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, who introduced the bill in the lower house. The bill replaces outdated provisions of the Indian Ports Act, 1908, with modern and contemporary regulations. It aims to simplify port procedures and digitalize operations to enhance ease of doing business (EoDB). The legislation also emphasizes sustainability, incorporating green initiatives, pollution control, and disaster management protocols for sustainable port development. Furthermore, it seeks to improve port competitiveness through transparent tariff policies and better investment frameworks, while ensuring uniform safety standards and planning across all Indian ports. It will reduce logistics costs by speeding up cargo movement and enhancing connectivity. It is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities in port operations, logistics, warehousing, and allied industries. Additionally, the bill outlines strict anti-pollution measures and eco-friendly port practices, contributing to a cleaner environment. Exporters and MSMEs will benefit from streamlined procedures and improved infrastructure, reducing bottlenecks and facilitating smoother operations. 'This bill marks a decisive step toward making India's ports globally competitive while safeguarding the environment and empowering coastal communities. It embodies the vision of 'ports for prosperity' and ensures our maritime sector remains future-ready,' said Sonowal. For ports themselves, the bill provides greater autonomy with accountability, allowing ports to set competitive tariffs within a transparent framework. It introduces integrated planning for long-term port development, ensuring cargo growth and improved hinterland connectivity. A boost to coastal shipping is also envisioned, with seamless integration with inland waterways and multimodal transport systems. The bill provides flexibility in funding, making clear provisions for public-private partnerships (PPPs) and foreign investment in port projects. The Maritime State Development Council (MSDC), comprising representatives from central and State governments, will coordinate national port development strategies. State maritime boards will have authority to effectively manage non-major ports, while dispute resolution committees will expedite the settlement of conflicts between ports, users, and service providers. 'The bill also aims to boost cooperative federalism as the MSDC is aimed at ironing out differences and laying down a smooth way forward for the holistic development of our ports. The bill also provides for the state maritime boards, which help to effectively manage non-major ports, allowing a comprehensive framework for port development," said Sonowal. "We are creating an ecosystem that will empower our ecosystem to spruce up the maritime prowess of Viksit Bharat, propelling India to become one of the top global maritime nations by 2047,' he added. In terms of sustainability and safety, the bill mandates waste reception and handling facilities at all ports. It also enforces stringent pollution prevention measures in line with international conventions like MARPOL and Ballast Water Management. Every port will require emergency preparedness plans for disasters and security threats, while promoting renewable energy and shore power systems will help reduce emissions and foster environmental sustainability.
Hans India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
LS passes Indian Ports Bill, 2025 amid unprecedented ruckus by Oppn
New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025 by voice vote, replacing the colonial-era Indian Ports Act of 1908, even as sustained sloganeering and protests from Opposition benches drowned out much of the debate. The Bill, moved by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, seeks to consolidate and modernise the legal framework governing India's ports, with an emphasis on cooperative federalism and strategic maritime development. The House reassembled at 3 PM with Jagdambika Pal in the chair, who invited Sonowal to move the Bill for consideration. The Minister outlined the Bill's objectives, stating that it would facilitate ease of doing business, ensure optimal utilisation of India's coastline, and empower State Maritime Boards for effective management of non-major ports. He also highlighted the Bill's provisions for managing pollution, disaster response, port safety, navigation, and data governance, while aligning domestic regulations with India's international obligations. A key feature of the legislation is the statutory establishment of the Maritime States Development Council (MSDC), which has existed since 1997 through executive notification. The Bill expands MSDC's mandate to include major ports under central control, enabling a consultative and collaborative framework between the Centre and coastal states. The minister Sonowal said the Council would advise on long-term planning, issue non-binding guidelines, and foster structured growth across the port sector. Despite the Minister's address, proceedings were repeatedly interrupted by Opposition members who stormed the Well of the House, shouting slogans such as 'We want justice.' The Chair made multiple appeals for order, assuring members that everyone would be given a chance to speak, but his voice was largely drowned in the din. Participating in the debate, BJP MP Dilip Saikia (Darrang-Udalgudi, Assam) described ports as 'engines of employment' and urged Opposition members to engage constructively. He noted that port capacity had increased by 87 per cent over the last decade under the Modi government, and said the Bill would open new gateways to Southeast Asia, enhancing regional connectivity and trade. TDP MP Sribharat Muthukumilli (Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh) also spoke in support of the Bill, emphasising its potential to strengthen coastal infrastructure and empower state-level port authorities. BJP's Darshan Singh Choudhary (Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh) echoed similar sentiments, calling the legislation a timely intervention for maritime reform. The Bill includes provisions for adjudicatory mechanisms to resolve port-related disputes and mandates conservation measures to protect port ecosystems. It also addresses emergency preparedness, security protocols, and compliance with international maritime instruments. In passing the Bill, the government signalled its intent to recalibrate Centre-State relations in port governance, especially in light of shifting political equations following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The consultative framework embedded in the legislation is seen as a response to coalition compulsions and the need to accommodate regional aspirations, the minister said and urged the house to pass the Bill. Following the passage of the Bill by voice vote, the Chair adjourned the House till 4:30 PM.
Economic Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Indian Ports Bill 2025 passed by Lok Sabha
The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 was passed by Lok Sabha Tuesday. An official statement said the Bill seeks to promote integrated planning and strategic development of ports through a robust consultative framework between the Centre and States. The statement said this Bill seeks to statutorily establish the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC). This will be a recommendatory body empowered to advise the Central and State Governments on various matters, to facilitate collaborative and long-term planning of all ports. 'MSDC will promote collaborative, data-driven planning across all ports, including formulation of a National Perspective Plan for maritime infrastructure,' the statement said while adding ports will share real-time data (cargo volumes, vessel traffic, capacity, hinterland connectivity and traffic pattern data) enabling MSDC to offer evidence-based, regionally balanced Bill also encourages coastal states to formally notify State Maritime Boards, empowered with uniform administrative and managerial functions, the statement added. State-level Dispute Resolution Committees are also being introduced to adjudicate certain port-related disputes at ports other than major ports. 'The Committees can hear matters between port authorities, concessionaires, and users, with appeals directed to the respective High Courts, creating sector-specific jurisprudence,' the statement said.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Indian Ports Bill 2025 passed by Lok Sabha
The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 was passed by Lok Sabha Tuesday. An official statement said the Bill seeks to promote integrated planning and strategic development of ports through a robust consultative framework between the Centre and States. The statement said this Bill seeks to statutorily establish the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC). This will be a recommendatory body empowered to advise the Central and State Governments on various matters, to facilitate collaborative and long-term planning of all ports. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program 'MSDC will promote collaborative, data-driven planning across all ports, including formulation of a National Perspective Plan for maritime infrastructure,' the statement said while adding ports will share real-time data (cargo volumes, vessel traffic, capacity, hinterland connectivity and traffic pattern data) enabling MSDC to offer evidence-based, regionally balanced recommendations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo This Bill also encourages coastal states to formally notify State Maritime Boards, empowered with uniform administrative and managerial functions, the statement added. State-level Dispute Resolution Committees are also being introduced to adjudicate certain port-related disputes at ports other than major ports. 'The Committees can hear matters between port authorities, concessionaires, and users, with appeals directed to the respective High Courts, creating sector-specific jurisprudence,' the statement said.
Mint
07-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Govt plans ₹5,000-cr investment to develop Northeast waterways: Sonowal
Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday announced government plans to invest ₹ 5,000 crore to boost the waterways and maritime sector in the Northeast. He said his ministry has drawn up major initiatives including expanding the capacity of the Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati as well as setting up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh, towards the goal of developing the maritime sector in the region. Speaking at press conference in Guwahati, the minister said India is on the path to becoming a global maritime powerhouse and the transformation that the sector has seen over the past 11 years of the Modi Government, with historic growth in port capacity and cargo handling, green shipping, cruise tourism and skill development for the youth, bears testimony to it. Over the past 11 years, the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW) has seen growth of India's maritime sector with record rise in cargo handling, capacity and coastal shipping. Major ports have nearly doubled their capacity, cruise tourism is rising with ambitious new terminals, and 50,000 youth from the Northeast will be trained for maritime jobs. Key legislative and digital reforms, green shipping initiatives, and projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project are strengthening regional connectivity and trade. India's ports are now globally competitive, with nine ranking in the World Bank's top 100, and Visakhapatnam Port reaching the top 20. Sonowal said the government aims to train 50,000 youth from the region in maritime skills over the next decade, offering them assured employment opportunities in the growing sector. The Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati as well as the upcoming Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh aims to power this transformation. The CoE will be developed with an investment of ₹ 200 crores. Both the centres are likely to produce 500 jobs annually. 'Our vision is to train, enable and empower 50,000 youth from the Northeast with world-class maritime skills over the next decade, ensuring meaningful employment & growth. Our centres in Guwahati and Dibrugarh will be the backbone of this transformation,' Sonowal said. The ministry has undertaken projects worth ₹ 1,000 crore in the Northeast's inland waterways sector over the past two years, with ₹ 300 crore works completed and ₹ 700 crore slated for completion by 2025. Major initiatives include permanent cargo terminals at Pandu, Jogighopa, Dhubri, Bogibeel, Karimganj and Badarpur; year-round fairway dredging; a new approach road to Pandu Port; heritage restoration in Dibrugarh; tourist jetties worth ₹ 299 crore; skill development centres at Guwahati and Dibrugarh; and plans for lighthouses at Bogibeel, Biswanath Ghat, Silghat and Pandu. Feasibility studies has been completed and found feasible for operation in Guwahati, Tezpur and Dibrugarh, and cruise vessels are being procured under central schemes. For Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, the efforts are on to expand IWT infrastructure and promote water-based tourism. The operationalization of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) offers new trade routes bypassing the Siliguri Corridor, strengthening regional connectivity and aligning with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Responding to a query on the status of Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), Sonowal said, 'Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is the result of India Myanmar Friendship Treaty. This is a strategic initiative to enhance connectivity between India's Northeast and Myanmar—is set to be fully operational by 2027…the Northeast stands at the heart of the Bharat's development agenda. Empowered by transformative 'Act East' policy, this once landlocked region is now poised for direct and shorter access to international sea routes. The swift execution of the Sittwe Port in Myanmar is a testament to this commitment. Once fully operational, the region will unlock new trade opportunities not just for Northeast India, but also for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar by connecting them with Southeast Asia.' From Paletwa in Myanmar to Zorinpui in Mizoram, the Sittwe port connects to Paletwa in Myanmar through an inland waterway and from Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component. From Sittwe, Myanmar to Sarboom, Tripura, goods from Kolkata to Sittwe Port can be shipped to Teknaf Port, Bangladesh which is just 60 nautical miles of Sittwe. From Teknaf Port goods can be transported by road to Sabroom which is 300 kms away. Sabroom has an Integrated customs border between Bangladesh and Tripura. Sittwe port and Kaladan Project will immensely benefit Tripura by way of significant reduction in transportation time and logistics cost. Major cargo for export for Sittwe Port; i.e. exports from Myanmar include Rice, Timber, Fish and seafood, Petroleum products and Garments and textiles. The major cargo for import for Sittwe Port; i.e. imports by Myanmar include construction materials such as cement, steel and bricks among others. Other key initiatives include the deployment of 100 barges operated by a global major on NW2 & 16 by 2025, intended to significantly enhance cargo movement across Assam and neighbouring states. To ensure round-the-year navigability, the ministry plans to deploy 10 amphibian and cutter section dredgers, backed by an investment of ₹ 610 crore. Sonowal also announced plans to develop 85 community jetties across the Northeast to improve local connectivity.
