Green Ports

Government has undertaken green port initiatives in the major ports so that their environmental performance can be improved. The green port initiatives include acquisition of equipments for monitoring environmental pollution, acquisition of dust suppression systems, setting up of sewage/ waste water treatment plants, setting up of garbage disposal system for ports and ships, developing shore reception facility for wastes from ships, setting up projects for energy generation from renewable energy sources, providing shore power to ships at berths, creating Oil Spill Response (Tier-1) capabilities at all ports, taking actions to improve harbour water quality, inclusion of sustainable practices in terminal design, development and operation, increasing green cover within port premises etc.

Chemicals and dangerous materials are handled by different ports following guidelines of Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO) and International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) codes.

Utilization of idle and vacant land at several ports in the country is ongoing process including development of port-led industrialization. Allotment of these land is done as per the Policy Guidelines for Land Management by Major Ports. The Government of India simplifies the procedure of allotment of land from time to time.

This information was given by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.