- State government has urged the government to clear the pending Bill since 2010, Karnataka Assembly had passed the Bill the Karnataka Jalasarige Mandali Vidheyaka adviced by the Maritime States Development Council
- Other states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have maritime board who have tremendously upgraded their ports
- Maritime board has to be set up for developing, maintaining and protecting the coastal region and its hinterlands
- The Bill was modified and submitted again after correcting the flaws that was pointed out by the center, this bill will help the 300 km coastal line of Karnataka dotted with10 non-major ports besides a major port at New Mangalore
- Previously the revenue generated by the ports at present had no link with the expenditure on developing and maintenance of ports
- Now the government regulates revenue generation and expenditure and also has proposed to develop all ports on PPP basis
- An environment friendly transportation has been proposed for goods and passengers using the inland waterways on both east and west flowing rivers and provide connectivity to several interior locations
- The board would also be in a position to develop and maintain inland waterways also
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/clear-bill-for-maritime-board-state-government-tells-centre/article6262147.ece