Indian Ports Bill 2025 passed by Lok Sabha

The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 was passed by Lok Sabha Tuesday. An official statement said the Bill seeks to promote integrated planning and strategic development of ports through a robust consultative framework between the Centre and States.

The statement said this Bill seeks to statutorily establish the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC). This will be a recommendatory body empowered to advise the Central and State Governments on various matters, to facilitate collaborative and long-term planning of all ports.

“MSDC will promote collaborative, data-driven planning across all ports, including formulation of a National Perspective Plan for maritime infrastructure,” the statement said while adding ports will share real-time data (cargo volumes, vessel traffic, capacity, hinterland connectivity and traffic pattern data) enabling MSDC to offer evidence-based, regionally balanced recommendations.

This Bill also encourages coastal states to formally notify State Maritime Boards, empowered with uniform administrative and managerial functions, the statement added.

State-level Dispute Resolution Committees are also being introduced to adjudicate certain port-related disputes at ports other than major ports. “The Committees can hear matters between port authorities, concessionaires, and users, with appeals directed to the respective High Courts, creating sector-specific jurisprudence,” the statement said.