Govt comes out with draft of Indian Ports Bill 2020 for public consultation

In its zest to attract investments in the Port sector, the Government has come out with the draft of Indian Ports Bill 2020 for public consultation.

The said draft was circulated by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for public consultation. After due consultation, the draft will repeal and replace the Indian Ports Act, 1908 (Act No. 15 of 1908), according to an official statement.

The draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020 seeks to inter alia, enable the structured growth and sustainable development of ports to attract investments in the Port sector for optimum utilisation of the Indian coastline by effective administration and management of ports.

The proposed Bill will provide measures to facilitate conservation of ports taking into account the prevalent situation with respect to the high number of non-operational ports.

It shall further ensure greater investment in the Indian maritime and ports sector by the creation of improved, comprehensive regulatory frameworks for the creation of new ports and management of existing ports.

The Bill also seeks to, inter alia, create an enabling environment for the growth and sustained development of the ports sector in India through the various broad methods.

These methods are the constitution of Maritime Port Regulatory Authority that have been formulated as part of the National Port policy and National Port plan in consultation with Coastal State Governments, State Maritime Boards and other stakeholders.

The up-to-date provisions of the proposed Bill would ensure safety, security, pollution control, performance standards and sustainability of ports. The Bill would also ensure that all up-to-date conventions /protocols to which India is a party, are also suitably incorporated.

This will promote marine safety and security in the true sense. The Bill will fill up the gaps for achieving scientific development of Ports and Port Network.

The Bill seeks to provide increased opportunities for public and private investments in the Indian maritime and ports sector by way of removing barriers to entry, simplifying processes and establishment of agencies and bodies to plan and enable growth of the ports sector.

In his address, Minister of State (I/C) Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mansukh Mandaviya said, “We are working on creation of a National Port Grid. This Bill will be a game changer in the Indian maritime sector specially for bringing more investments.

The Bill will bolster structured growth and sustained development of Ports and ensure achieving this objective on fast track basis. Consequently, it will result into revolutionary maritime reforms transmuting the Indian maritime set-up entirely in the times to come.”

The draft of Indian Ports Bill 2020 has been issued for public consultation to seek necessary feedback and suggestions.