Wed Apr 02 02:26:10 UTC 2025: ## Coastal Shipping Bill Sparks Debate in Indian Parliament

**New Delhi, April 2, 2025** – The Lok Sabha witnessed heated debate Tuesday over the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, introduced by Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The Bill aims to boost India’s maritime sector by providing a legal framework for coastal shipping, offering a sustainable alternative to road and rail transport. Minister Sonowal highlighted the bill’s potential to unlock India’s maritime potential and meet the logistics sector’s demand for cost-effective and reliable transport.

However, the Bill faced strong opposition from several MPs who raised concerns about its impact on fishermen and state autonomy. Congress MP Manickam Tagore voiced concerns about the plight of fishermen, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, citing threats from Sri Lanka and Pakistan, as well as environmental challenges. He urged the inclusion of safety measures like weather alerts and life vests, and demanded a reduction in the 30% tax on coastal shipping.

DMK MP D.M. Kathir Anand strongly opposed the Bill, arguing it infringed upon states’ rights and could lead to environmental damage from increased shipping activity. He criticized the National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategy Plan for overriding state-specific needs.

While Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy acknowledged the Bill’s potential for uniformity and transparency, he emphasized the need to balance regulations with investment, suggesting a minimum 50% domestic cargo transport by Indian vessels and the establishment of an independent shipping oversight body. He also advocated for employment quotas for Indian seafarers. The debate underscores the complex balancing act between economic development and the concerns of fishermen and states in India’s coastal regions.

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