India’s Union Budget 2026-27 continues referring to major state-owned ports as “trusts” rather than “authorities,” overlooking reforms under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021. This persists despite the repeal of the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, affecting allocations to ports like JNPT, Cochin, and Paradip.
Legal Background
The 2021 Act transformed 11 major ports into independent authorities for greater autonomy, faster decisions, and competition with private operators. It replaced the trust model, scrapped the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP), and established an Adjudicatory Board—yet Budget documents allocate ₹11.15 crore to the defunct TAMP.
Specific Anomalies
Kamarajar Port Ltd, corporatized 25 years ago and divested in 2020, is still listed as “Kamarajar Port Trust.” Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata) omits any status, receiving ₹150 crore for dredging. Unions had opposed full corporatization, favoring the authority structure.
Budget Maritime Highlights
Despite terminology issues, the Budget boosts ports/shipping allocation by 48% to ₹5,164.8 crore, launching coastal cargo schemes and 20 new waterways under Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. This supports modernization amid Sagarmala goals.
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