Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has directed officials to create a database of vacant land available at major ports across India.
The initiative is aimed at identifying and documenting unused or underutilised port land that could potentially be brought into productive use. A consolidated database is expected to provide authorities with a clearer picture of land availability across the country’s major ports.
The exercise could support better utilisation of port assets and help identify sites suitable for future maritime, logistics and industrial activities. Port authorities may be able to use the information to evaluate opportunities for infrastructure development, commercial projects and other activities aligned with their long-term plans.
Efficient utilisation of land is increasingly important as Indian ports expand their capacity and develop integrated logistics infrastructure. Available land within or around port areas can support warehousing, logistics facilities, industrial units and other cargo-related activities.
A centralised database could also improve transparency and planning by providing information on the location, availability and potential use of vacant parcels. This would allow policymakers and port authorities to assess land resources more systematically when planning future investments.
The move comes as the government continues efforts to strengthen India’s maritime infrastructure and improve the efficiency of major ports. Better utilisation of existing assets can complement investments in terminals, connectivity and cargo-handling capacity.
The database is expected to give the ministry and individual port authorities a more comprehensive understanding of available land resources. Further decisions on the development or allocation of identified parcels would depend on their suitability, regulatory requirements and individual port plans.
The initiative highlights the government’s focus on maximising the use of existing port assets while supporting the broader development of India’s maritime and logistics ecosystem.