The Lok Sabha has passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, a comprehensive legislation designed to consolidate existing port laws, promote integrated development, and ensure optimum utilisation of India’s coastline. The Bill also seeks to establish and empower State Maritime Boards for managing non-major ports and create the Maritime State Development Council to drive coordinated growth in the sector.Provisions include measures for pollution control, disaster management, security, safety, navigation, and data handling at ports, along with mechanisms for resolving port-related disputes. The legislation also ensures compliance with India’s international maritime obligations.Replying to the debate, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described the Bill as a strategic intervention to reposition India’s maritime sector for the 21st century. He noted that India’s coastline is the economic backbone of a Rs 4 trillion economy and has seen remarkable progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Over the past decade, port capacity has risen by 87 per cent, with cargo handling hitting a record 855 million tonnes, and coastal shipping increasing by 180 per cent.Sonowal stressed that the Indian Ports Act of 1908 is outdated, lacking modern environmental safeguards, long-term planning provisions, and efficient dispute resolution systems. The new legislation focuses on integrated planning between the Centre and States to maximise coastal potential.During the discussion, BJP’s Dilip Saikia highlighted the Ministry’s achievements, while TDP’s Sribharat Mathukumili welcomed the Bill, noting that ship turnaround time at major ports has halved from 93 hours to 48 hours, and India’s international shipment ranking improved from 44 to 23 in 2023. BJP’s Darshan Singh Choudhary added that the Maritime State Development Council will help formulate joint strategies for port development between the Centre and States.