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Indian Ports Bill 2025 empowers State Maritime Boards for effective management

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Parliament today passed the Indian Ports Bill 2025 with Rajya Sabha approving the Bill. It aims to establish and empower State Maritime Boards for effective management of ports other than major ports, establish the Maritime State Development Council for fostering structured growth and development of the port sector and will provide for the management of pollution, disaster, emergencies, security, safety, navigation, and data at ports. The legislation will ensure compliance with India’s obligations under international instruments to which it is a party and take measures for the conservation of ports. It will also provide for adjudicatory mechanisms for the redressal of port-related disputes and address matters connected therewith.
Replying to the discussion on the Bill, Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the Bill is very significant because it is a reformative initiative. Mr Sonowal said the Bill was brought after wide consultations with all coastal states and other stakeholders. He stressed that India will soon become one of the leading maritime nations in the world under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He highlighted that India will soon become the third largest economy in the world and his Ministry will contribute in a huge manner to this. 
Earlier, moving the Bill, the Minister said the legislation will consolidate the law related to the ports, promote integrated port development, facilitate ease of doing business and ensure optimum utilisation of the country’s coastline.
Participating in the discussion, Rambhai Mokariya of BJP said the bill aims for landmark reforms in the port sector. He said, in the last decade port capacity has increased by 87 per cent in all the major ports in the country. 
Golla Baburao of YSRCP urged that the Centre must help coastal States with proper planning to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat. He said, India has a vast coastline and minor ports which lack infrastructure must be looked after.
Sulata Deo of BJD said India’s maritime was developed in ancient times and nation had ties Java, Sumatra and Bali through Odisha. She said Paradip port is one of the finest ports in the nation, which must be further developed.
BJP’s Rekha Sharma said the Bill will redefine the legislative framework of maritime sector and prepare India for global leadership in this century. She added that India’s major ports handle 255 million tonnes of cargo today. She said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ports have transformed and port capacity has expanded by 87 percent.
Sunetra Pawar of NCP said the Bill is aimed at enhancing nation’s blue economy. She said ports should be carbon neutral and pollution free by 2030. Praful Patel of NCP said it is imperative to expand seaports. Dhairyashil Patil of BJP, M Thambidurai of AIADMK, and Ravi Chandran Vaddiraju of BRS also participated in the debate. 

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