India's cabinet approved a revision of the policy governing waterfronts and associated land used by port-dependent industries. The government intends the new framework to accelerate private investment by increasing operational certainty at major ports.
The revised captive policy gives existing users greater flexibility to expand infrastructure. They may develop additional berths, jetties, terminals and single buoy moorings when their captive requirements increase.
The shipping ministry said the changes should support capacity expansion and improve the ease of doing business in the port sector. It stated that the policy carries no financial implication for the central government.
A separate mechanism allows eligible government organizations to receive waterfronts and associated land on a nomination basis rather than through competitive bidding. Allocation remains subject to availability and the safeguards prescribed by the policy.
Eligible applicants include central and state government departments, statutory authorities, autonomous bodies, public-sector enterprises and government-controlled joint ventures. Covered sectors can include fertilizers, food, petroleum, oil and gas, coal and steel when notified by the ministry.
For government entities, the concession period can now extend to 30 years. The policy also provides a way to address changes in business requirements and regulatory conditions over the life of a project.
India had about 24 captive waterfront facilities as of 2025. New concessions will be awarded at the officially notified floor price, combining the wider access and longer operating horizon with a defined pricing baseline.
