**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3286, addressed on August 8, 2025, by Dr. Nishikant Dubey and Shri Dhaval Laxmanbhai Patel, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirms the government's ongoing commitment to expanding the capacity of ports across the country. Capacity augmentation is a continuous process across all Major Ports. The government has undertaken several initiatives, including modernization, mechanization, construction of new berths and terminals, capital dredging, and enhancement of road and rail connectivity, to achieve this objective. As a result of these efforts, the overall capacity of Major Ports has increased from 871.52 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in FY 2014-15 to 1680.94 MTPA in FY 2024-25, representing a capacity increase of 93%. The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, provided the answer.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY: Member of Parliament who raised a question in the Lok Sabha.
SHRI DHAVAL LAXMANBHAI PATEL: Another Member of Parliament who raised a question in the Lok Sabha.
SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL: The Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS who provided the answer.
Major Ports: Refers to the primary ports in India, which are under the direct control of the Central Government.
FY 2014-15: The financial year 2014-2015, used as a baseline for measuring the increase in port capacity.
FY 2024-25: The financial year 2024-2025, representing the current capacity of Major Ports
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3286
ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025
EXPANSION OF PORT CAPACITY
3286: DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:
SHRI DHAVAL LAXMANBHAI PATEL:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) whether Government proposes to expand the capacity of the ports of the country;
(b) if so, the number of ports of the country selected under this scheme; and
(c) the total percentage increase being made in the capacity of the selected ports?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (c) Yes, Capacity augmentation is a continuous process across all Major Ports.
The Government has taken several steps to expand the cargo handling capacity of all
major ports in the country through modernization, mechanization, construction of new
berths and terminals, capital dredging, and enhancement of road and rail connectivity.
The overall capacity of Major Ports has increased from 871.52 million tonnes per annum
(MTPA) in FY 2014–15 to 1680.94 MTPA in FY 2024–25, representing an increase of
93%.
*****