Lok Sabha Question No. 5629 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Port Pollution Control Mechanisms
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5629

ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026

## PORT POLLUTION CONTROL MECHANISMS

5629.SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI:

## Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

(a) whether Government has conducted a comprehensive assessment of air, water, and  coastal  pollution  arising  from  port-operations,  including  emissions  from  cargo handling, ship berthing, dredging, storage of bulk cargo like coal, and movement of heavy vehicles within and around major and non-major ports; (b) whether mandatory environmental compliance standards currently applicable to ports include requirements  on dust  suppression  systems,  enclosed  conveyor mechanisms,  treatment  of ballast water and  oily waste, control of dredging discharge, and continuous air and water quality monitoring, if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether  independent  environmental  audits  and  real-time  pollution  monitoring systems are mandated for all ports and whether such data is publicly accessible; (d)  whether  Government  proposes  to  introduce  uniform  national  environmental operating protocols for ports, including penalties for non-compliance; and (e) the steps taken to mitigate health and ecological impacts on nearby residents and

- marine biodiversity due to port-related pollution?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a)to  (e)  Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  /  State  Pollution  Control  Boards (SPCBs)  periodically  monitor  air  and  water  quality  at  ports  and  conduct  regular environmental  audits.  All  the  ports  adhere  to  the  International  Convention  for  the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and hence, strictly comply to all the environmental related guidelines. Further, project-specific Environmental Clearances (EC)are taken by the Major Ports.

ECs granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to  port  projects  stipulate  specific  terms  and  conditions  relating  to  environmental protection and monitoring. These conditions are applicable during both the construction and operational phases of the project. Independent  environmental  audits  and  real-time  periodic  monitoring  are  mandated as  per  the  norms  of  the  MoEFCC.  All  the  data  related  to  critical  environmental parameters are regularly submitted to regulatory authorities. TheIndian Ports Act, 2025provides a framework for regulation of environmentalaspects at ports, including obligations relating to pollution prevention, preparation  of  port  waste  reception  and  handling  facilities.Further,  Ministry  has issued 'HaritSagar' -  Green  Port Guidelines to  promote an environmentally sustainable  ecosystem  at  ports,  including  measures  for  reducing  carbon  footprint and promoting cleaner fuels and green technologies. Steps to mitigate health and ecological impacts include project-specific Environmental  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  /Environmental  Management  Plan  (EMP) appraisal,Coastal  Regulation  Zone  (CRZ)  /Island  Coastal  Regulation  Zone  (ICRZ) clearance, dust suppression and covered cargo handling for dusty materials, regular air  and  water  quality  monitoring,  environmentally  managed  dredging  and  disposal, facilities for ship-generated waste, ballast water compliance, periodic environmental audits  with  disclosure,  etc.  Ports  also  take  mitigation  measures  like  covered  coal handling,mechanised dust control etc. to reduce emissions.

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