Private and public participation in jetty and terminal development
The Government has taken steps to accelerate port-related development under PM GatiShakti including mapping of 26 data layers along with relevant attributes of all the operational ports across the country on the Geographic Information System-based (GIS) PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) Portal.
“This enables integrated planning of infrastructure, technology intervention, policy reform and identification of critical road and rail last mile connectivity projects,” the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said in an update on the projects to the Rajya Sabha 12 Feb.
He also pointed out that the Sagarmala programme focuses on implementation of projects related to enhancement of ports capacity, connectivity and efficiency for promoting port-led development.
The key areas of focus include port modernisation & mechanisation, strengthening last-mile road and rail connectivity, coastal community development, and promotion of multimodal logistics parks. The programme also emphasizes integration of ports with coastal shipping and inland waterways to reduce the logistics cost and improve overall supply chain efficiency.
The Minister also highlighted policy initiatives related to inland waterways development.
These are:
The National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025 have been notified to enable private and public participation in jetty and terminal development and boosting inland waterways infrastructure. Under these regulations, Jal Samriddhi portal has been developed to facilitate online applications of no objection certificate (NOC) for construction and operation of jetties and terminals on national waterways.
‘Jalyan and Navic’ Central database portal was launched in the year 2025 for registration, survey of vessels, and crew training and certification under the Inland Vessels Act, 2021.
Jalvahak – Cargo Promotion Scheme has been implemented for providing 35% incentive to promote the utilization of inland waterways cargo transport and for establishing scheduled service for cargo movement on National Waterways (NW)-1, NW-2 and NW-16 via Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route.
As regards green shipping, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways launched ‘Harit Sagar’ Green Port Guidelines in May 2023 to reduce carbon footprints and to develop an environment friendly ecosystem at major ports. The ministry also introduced Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) in August 2024 to drive transition from conventional fuel-based harbour tugs to greener ones being more sustainable alternatives for environmental sustainability.
As a result of reforms and initiative, the combined cargo handling capacity of the major ports increased from 555 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) in the financial year (FY) 2013-14 to 1,681 MTPA in FY 2024-25. Further, container vessel turnaround time significantly reduced from 41.76 hours in the year 2013-14 to 28.5 hours in the year 2024-25.
Similarly, cargo movement through inland waterways, a cheaper mode of transport, has gained momentum and it has increased from 18.07 MMT in the year 2013-14 to 145.84 MMT in FY 2024-25, the Minister said. fiinews.com
