Cabinet approves revised Captive Policy for waterfront allotment to port-dependent industries at major ports
On 31 July 2026 the Union Cabinet approved a revised policy for award of waterfront and land to Port Dependent Industries in major ports, updating the Captive Policy of 2016.
Summary
The Union Cabinet approved a revised Policy for Award of Waterfront and Associated Land to Port Dependent Industries (Captive Policy) in major ports, updating the 2016 policy. Existing captive users can add new berths, jetties, terminals or single buoy moorings (SBMs) for enhanced captive needs, government entities get direct access to waterfront (up to 30 years for enhanced captive requirement), and fresh capacity will be awarded by competitive bidding with a Right of First Refusal (RoFR). Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal called it a major reform for investor certainty.
Key facts
- Policy
- Revised Captive Policy (Port Dependent Industries)
- Replaces/updates
- Captive Policy of 2016
- Applies to
- Major ports
- Key changes
- New berth/jetty/terminal/SBM for existing users; direct waterfront access for government entities; competitive bidding with RoFR
- Minister
- Sarbananda Sonowal (Ports, Shipping and Waterways)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The revised Captive Policy for Port Dependent Industries approved by the Cabinet in July 2026 updates the Captive Policy of which year?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2016
The revised policy updates the existing Captive Policy of 2016.
Under the revised Captive Policy for major ports (July 2026), fresh capacity is to be awarded through competitive bidding with which feature?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Right of First Refusal (RoFR)
The policy provides for competitive bidding with a Right of First Refusal (RoFR) to unlock fresh capacity at major ports.