The Lok Sabha on Tuesday handed the Indian Ports Invoice, 2025, by voice vote amid continued protests by opposition members of Parliament demanding a dialogue on the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.
The invoice proposes modernizing India’s port governance, enhancing commerce effectivity, and solidifying India’s place as a worldwide maritime chief.
“Changing colonial-era rules, the invoice displays Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s imaginative and prescient of a self-reliant, world-class maritime sector,” stated the Union minister of ports, transport and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, who launched the invoice within the decrease home.
A step ahead
The invoice replaces outdated provisions of the Indian Ports Act, 1908, with trendy and modern rules. It goals to simplify port procedures and digitalize operations to reinforce ease of doing enterprise (EoDB).
The laws additionally emphasizes sustainability, incorporating inexperienced initiatives, air pollution management, and catastrophe administration protocols for sustainable port improvement. Moreover, it seeks to enhance port competitiveness via clear tariff insurance policies and higher funding frameworks, whereas guaranteeing uniform security requirements and planning throughout all Indian ports.
It can scale back logistics prices by rushing up cargo motion and enhancing connectivity. It’s also anticipated to generate important employment alternatives in port operations, logistics, warehousing, and allied industries.
Moreover, the invoice outlines strict anti-pollution measures and eco-friendly port practices, contributing to a cleaner setting. Exporters and MSMEs will profit from streamlined procedures and improved infrastructure, lowering bottlenecks and facilitating smoother operations.
“This invoice marks a decisive step towards making India’s ports globally aggressive whereas safeguarding the setting and empowering coastal communities. It embodies the imaginative and prescient of ‘ports for prosperity’ and ensures our maritime sector stays future-ready,” stated Sonowal.
For ports themselves, the invoice offers higher autonomy with accountability, permitting ports to set aggressive tariffs inside a clear framework. It introduces built-in planning for long-term port improvement, guaranteeing cargo development and improved hinterland connectivity.
A lift to coastal transport can also be envisioned, with seamless integration with inland waterways and multimodal transport methods. The invoice offers flexibility in funding, making clear provisions for public-private partnerships (PPPs) and overseas funding in port tasks.
Robust institutional framework
The Maritime State Improvement Council (MSDC), comprising representatives from central and State governments, will coordinate nationwide port improvement methods. State maritime boards could have authority to successfully handle non-major ports, whereas dispute decision committees will expedite the settlement of conflicts between ports, customers, and repair suppliers.
“The invoice additionally goals to spice up cooperative federalism because the MSDC is geared toward ironing out variations and laying down a easy approach ahead for the holistic improvement of our ports. The invoice additionally offers for the state maritime boards, which assist to successfully handle non-major ports, permitting a complete framework for port improvement,” stated Sonowal.
“We’re creating an ecosystem that can empower our ecosystem to spruce up the maritime prowess of Viksit Bharat, propelling India to develop into one of many high world maritime nations by 2047,” he added.
By way of sustainability and security, the invoice mandates waste reception and dealing with services in any respect ports. It additionally enforces stringent air pollution prevention measures consistent with worldwide conventions like MARPOL and Ballast Water Administration.
Each port would require emergency preparedness plans for disasters and safety threats, whereas selling renewable power and shore energy methods will assist scale back emissions and foster environmental sustainability.
