114 year-old Indian Ports Act to be amended

23 Aug 2022 CW Team

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has prepared a draft amendment to the Indian Ports Act, 1908, with the goal of bringing in sweeping reforms in the sector by bringing non-major ports into the national fold, creating a new dispute resolution mechanism, and empowering maritime state development councils (MSDC). Before being introduced in Parliament, the draft legislation will receive feedback from stakeholders.

The bill aims to eliminate decision-making delays for non-major ports by establishing a council chaired by the Union minister for ports, shipping, and waterways. “MSDC will ensure cooperative federalism where Centre and State/UT (union territory) governments will work together towards preparing a progressive road map for the country,” the ministry said.

However, sector experts say the bill could face the same fate as the Major Ports Authority Act amendment, which was introduced last year and faced criticism over the possibility of higher concentration of power in the hands of the central government, which controls 12 major ports of India.

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