Lok Sabha Passes Indian Ports Bill 2025
PORTS & SHIPPING

Lok Sabha Passes Indian Ports Bill 2025

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Sonowal stressed that the Indian Ports Act of 1908 is outdated, lacking modern environmental safeguards, long-term planning provisions, and efficient dispute resolution systems.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.

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.

Next Story
Products

Koemmerling opens Navi Mumbai experience centre

Koemmerling, a brand of the profine Group, has expanded its presence in the Mumbai metropolitan region with the opening of a new experience centre in Navi Mumbai and launched its Allure S46 minimal sliding door system for the Indian market.Located in CBD Belapur, the facility was inaugurated by Peter Mrosik, Owner and CEO, profine Group, along with Farid Khan, Chairman and Managing Director, profine India, and Kamal Bajaj, CEO, profine India.The company said the new centre will showcase its portfolio of uPVC and aluminium window and door systems to architects, developers and homeowners.The ina..

Next Story
Products

India's waterproofing market nears Rs 150 bn milestone

India's waterproofing industry is approaching a market size of Rs 150 billion and is expected to surpass the $2 billion milestone, according to speakers at the 2nd India International Waterproofers Conference & Expo 2026 organised by the Waterproofers Association of India (WAI) in New Delhi.The two-day event brought together more than 20 speakers, 55 international delegates and 53 exhibition booths, with discussions focusing on climate-resilient construction, advanced waterproofing technologies and international collaboration.Inaugurating the event, Durga Shanker Mishra, former Secretary, ..

Next Story
Real Estate

Dilip Buildcon Q1 FY27 Revenue at Rs 23.78 billion

Dilip Buildcon Limited reported consolidated revenue from operations of Rs 2,378 crore in Q1 FY27, along with EBITDA of Rs 429 crore and profit after tax of Rs 128 crore.Consolidated EBITDA margin stood at 18.1%, improving from 17.1% in Q4 FY26. On a standalone basis, revenue from operations was Rs 1,930 crore, EBITDA stood at Rs 199 crore and PAT was Rs 39 crore, with an EBITDA margin of 10.3%.The company’s order book stood at Rs 27,691 crore as of 30 June 2026, compared with Rs 28,830 crore as of 31 March 2026. Roads and highways accounted for 17.1% of the order book, irrigation and water ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement