Ministry of Shipping renamed to Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has renamed the Ministry of Shipping to Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on November 8, 2020. PM Modi announced the renaming of the ministry at the inaugural virtual event of Ro-Pax terminal at Surat’s Hazira. He also flagged-off the Ro-Pax ferry service between Hazira and Ghogha in Gujarat in the event. This ferry service between Hazira and Ghogha will reduce the distance of 370 km to 90 km by seat route. Also, the journey time is now reduced to 3-4 hours from 10-12 hours earlier.

Key Points

• While announcing the renaming of Ministry of Shipping, Modi said that in most of the developed nations, the Ministry of Shipping handles waterways and ports. This is the reason, both these are now being added in the Ministry of Shipping in India.
• He also highlighted that with the clarity in the name of the ministry; there will be more clarity in work.
• At present, Mansukh L. Mandaviya is the Union Minister of Shipping which is now Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• Mansukh Mandaviya and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani were also present in the virtual event.

Recent Changes in the name of Ministry of Shipping

On 17 November 2000, the “Ministry of Surface Transport” was divided into two new ministries- “Ministry of Shipping” and “Ministry of Road Transport and Highways”.

On 2 October 2004, both the bifurcated ministries- “Ministry of Road Transport and Highways” and “Ministry of Shipping” were merged again and renamed as “Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways”. The ministry then had two departments- “Department of Road transport and Highways” and “Department of Shipping”. In the year 2009, Ministry of Shipping was again formed by dividing these two departments into separate ministries.

On 8 November, 2020; the name of “Ministry of Shipping” has been changed to “Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways”.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2020