Government Initiatives

Some of the major initiatives taken by the government to promote the ports sector in India are as follows:

• In Union Budget 2023-24, the total allocation for the Ministry of Shipping was US$ 1,813.16 million (Rs. 2,218.74 crore).
• In October 2022, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the development of a container terminal at Tuna-Tekra, Deendayal Port, the terminal will be built on a Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) basis under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode.
• In August 2022, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, and Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Gen (Retd) VK Singh signed a tripartite agreement for swift development of modern Multi Modal Logistics Parks (MMLP) under Bharatmala Pariyojna across the country.
• In July 2022, the Sagarmala programme is the flagship programme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to promote port-led development in the country through harnessing India’s 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes.
• In December 2021, India and Russia are talking about collaborating on shipbuilding and inland waterways.
• In November 2021, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Ayush, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the new Radars and Vessel Traffic Management System of Cochin Port Trust. The VTMS (Vessel Traffic Management System) commissioned in Cochin Port in 2009 has been upgraded with a state-of-the-art system consisting of two new radars, one AIS Base station, three VHF Radios and associated software & hardware.
• In November 2021, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the simultaneous launching of five vessels at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
• In November 2021, the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. G Kishan Reddy, announced that the center has sanctioned US$ 13.31 million (Rs. 100 crore) for the Visakhapatnam port cruise terminal.
• The Draft Indian Ports Bill 2021, which was circulated in July 2021, aims to centralize the administration of minor ports that are currently managed by state governments.
• The Inland Vessels Bill 2021 was approved by the Lok Sabha in July 2021. Instead of distinct regulations created by the states, the bill attempts to include a single legislation for the country. The registration certificate issued under the new law will be valid throughout the country and state approvals will not be necessary. The bill also establishes a single database for recording vessel and crew information on an Internet portal.
• In July 2021, the Marine Aids to Navigation Bill 2021 was passed by the Parliament, incorporating global best practices, technological developments, and India's international obligations in this field.
• In June 2021, the Gujarat government provided approval to build a new jetty worth an estimated US$ 25.77 million (~Rs. 192 crore) at Navlakhi Port which has been in operation since 1939.
• In June 2021, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Ministry of Culture signed an MoU for cooperation in the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat