News Highlight
The draft Indian Ports Bill 2022 seeks to repeal and replace the existing Indian Ports Act 1908, which is more than 110 years old.
Key Takeaway
- The Indian Ports Bill 2022 is an improvement over the 2021 draft.
- Major ports figure in the Union List and come under the jurisdiction of the Central government.
- Non-Âmajor ports are in the Concurrent List and come under the respective State governments.
Indian Ports Bill of 2022: Major provisions
- Environmental compliance:Â
- The bill will ensure the prevention and containment of pollution at ports, by complying with the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party.
- India has signed the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
- State Maritime Boards:
- It seeks to empower and establish State Maritime Boards for effective administration, control, and management of non-major ports in India.
- Adjudicatory mechanisms
- It aims to provide adjudicatory mechanisms for redressal of port-related disputes and to establish a national council for fostering structured growth and development of the port sector.
- Optimum utilisation of the coastline:Â
- It will ensure optimum utilisation of the coastline of India, as may be necessary, and provide for matters ancillary and incidental thereto, or connected therewith.
Status of Indian Ports:
- About:
- India has 13 major ports (12 Government-owned and one private) and 212 non-major ports.
| Number | Major Ports | State |
| 1 | Kandla Port | Gujarat |
| 2 | Jawaharlal Nehru Port. | Maharashtra |
| 3 | Mumbai Port | Maharashtra |
| 4 | Visakhapatnam Port | Andhra Pradesh |
| 5 | Chennai Port | Tamil Nadu |
| 6 | Mormugao Port | Goa |
| 7 | Port Blair Port | The Andaman and the Nicobar Islands |
| 8 | Kolkata Port | West Bengal |
| 9 | Paradip Port | Odisha |
| 10 | Cochin Port | Kerala |
| 11 | Tuticorin Port | Tamil Nadu |
| 12 | Ennore Port | Tamil Nadu |
| 13 | New Mangalore Port | Karnataka |
- Legal Provisions:
- All the 12 major ports are governed under the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, and are owned and managed by the Central Government.
- All the minor ports are governed under the Indian Port Act, 1908, and are owned and managed by the state governments.
- Administration of Major Ports:
- Each major port is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Government of India.
- The Trusts operate on the basis of policy directives and orders from the Government of India.
Content Source: The Hindu