The draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020, has many positives, but it should safeguard state autonomy and plug holes. The wish list is for an act that will make India’s coastline future-ready – safe harbours, unimpeded access, water deep enough for the largest vessels, no risk of noise, dirt and danger associated with loading and unloading cargoes for workers and locals, smooth transport networks of the inland movement of goods, and strengthening systems and processes. By JAGANNARAYAN PADMANABHAN & PARUL SINGHAL GARG.
Capacity utilisation of Indian ports has been flagging across the board. As of last fiscal average capacity utilisation was only 49 per cent. In the year FY 2021, Covid-19 impact is evident with capacity utilisation down by 2 per cent as compared to FY2020. The draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020, has many positives, but it should safeguard state autonomy and plug holes, feels Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, the Director and Practice Lead Transport & Parul Singhal Garg, Associate Director Transport, CRISIL Infrastructure Advisory.