Rajya Sabha Clears Coastal Shipping Bill Despite Disruptions

Quick Summary

• The rajya Sabha passed the Coastal Shipping Bill on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
• Opposition protests disrupted proceedings, demanding a discussion on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal presented the Coastal Shipping Bill for reducing compliance burdens and unlocking India’s coastline potential.

– The Bill aims to grow India’s coastal cargo share to 230 million tonnes by 2030.
– It replaces the merchant shipping Act of 1958 with a more progressive framework aligned to global practices.

• Despite disruptions during the session, Vice-Chairman Ghanshyam Tiwari put the Bill to vote after a brief debate involving eight members.
• Earlier that day, Rajya Sabha proceedings were shut down briefly as Opposition members protested over rejected notices for debates on various issues like SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar.
• Deputy Chairman Harivansh noted that over 51 hours were lost due to disturbances during the monsoon session and urged cooperation from protesting MPs.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The passage of the Coastal Shipping Bill signifies an crucial legislative step towards modernizing India’s maritime policy framework and leveraging its vast coastline for economic growth. By focusing on ease of doing business and reducing regulatory hurdles, this move could enhance supply chain efficiency and bolster coastal cargo logistics by setting aspiring goals like achieving a cargo share target of 230 million tonnes by 2030.

However, disruptions caused by political disagreements reflect underlying tensions within parliamentary proceedings that continue to impact legislative effectiveness. while debates around crucial national concerns like SIR deserved structured discussions, frequent adjournments compromise productivity in addressing key subjects comprehensively. Ensuring smoother dialog without sacrificing accountability may foster both governance progressiveness and democratic integrity.

Read more at: The Hindu