Mon Aug 18 11:59:49 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Indian Ports Bill 2025 Passes Rajya Sabha Amid Opposition Protests**
**New Delhi – August 18, 2025** – The Rajya Sabha today passed the Indian Ports Bill 2025, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at modernizing India’s port sector and promoting its development. The bill, which was previously approved by the Lok Sabha on August 12th, was introduced in the Upper House amidst protests from opposition members who later staged a walkout demanding discussion on electoral rolls revision in Bihar.
The bill seeks to consolidate existing laws, facilitate ease of doing business, promote integrated port development, and ensure the optimal utilization of India’s extensive coastline. It replaces the antiquated Indian Ports Act of 1908 with updated regulations designed to align with global best practices.
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal defended the bill, emphasizing the Modi government’s commitment to legislative reform in the sector. He criticized the previous Congress government for neglecting the ministry, claiming they introduced only one new legislation between 2004 and 2014, while the NDA government has introduced 11 in the last 11 years.
“These outdated laws made by the British have become outdated and were not in sync with modern times,” Minister Sonowal stated, stressing the importance of modern, competitive, business-friendly, eco-friendly, and people-friendly legislation. He also expressed disappointment at the Opposition’s walkout, urging them to demonstrate responsibility and responsiveness as key qualities of an effective opposition.
Key features of the Indian Ports Bill 2025 include:
* Empowering the government to direct ports to establish a maritime single window system for seamless electronic data exchange.
* Decriminalizing certain offenses and replacing outdated provisions.
* Introducing greater transparency in port tariffs.
* Establishing and empowering State Maritime Boards for effective management of non-major ports.
* Creating a Maritime State Development Council to foster structured growth in the port sector.
* Providing for the management of pollution, disaster, emergencies, security, safety, navigation, and data at ports.
* Ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations.
* Providing for adjudicatory mechanisms for the resolution of port-related disputes.
“This is the power of reforms. This is through which we are going to make India one of the leading maritime nations in the world,” asserted Minister Sonowal. The passage of the Indian Ports Bill 2025 marks a significant step towards enhancing India’s maritime capabilities and fostering its economic growth.
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