Environment
Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines
GS3 Infrastructure and EnvironmentGS3 EnergyPrelims and Mains
- Why in news
- On 28 March 2026, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways told the Lok Sabha about its green port steps under Maritime India Vision 2030 and the 'Harit Sagar' guidelines, including 2030 targets.
- What it is
- The 'Harit Sagar' Green Port Guidelines are the Ministry's framework for making India's major ports cleaner. They push renewable energy, electrification of port equipment and lower emissions per ton of cargo. They work alongside Maritime India Vision 2030, the sector's long-term plan.
- Green Tug Transition Programme
- GTTP moves ports from diesel-powered tugs to electric or hybrid tugs.
- Green Hydrogen Hubs
- MNRE recognised three Major Ports as Green Hydrogen Hubs: Deendayal (Gujarat), Paradip (Odisha) and V.O. Chidambaranar (Tamil Nadu).
- Jurisdiction
- Major Ports are under the Centre. Other ports (OTMP) are under the respective State Governments.
- Projects approved
- About 180 projects for Major Ports, covering modernisation, coastal shipping and green ports, were approved in FY 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Don’t confuse with Major Ports vs Other ports (OTMP): Major Ports are administered by the Centre. Other ports, also called non-major ports, fall under State governments.
Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.
Why it matters
- Cuts port emissions and supports India's climate goals and cleaner trade.
- Green hydrogen hubs at ports can build a domestic hydrogen and green fuel ecosystem.
Problems
- Non-major ports are a State subject, so the Centre cannot enforce uniform green norms there.
- Electrifying equipment and installing shore power needs heavy capital and reliable clean grid supply.
Way forward
- Encourage States and private terminals to adopt the guidelines through incentives and shared standards.
- Track progress on the 2030 targets with published port-level data.
Put in your answer
Green Hydrogen Hubs example: Deendayal, Paradip and V.O. Chidambaranar ports are recognised as Green Hydrogen Hubs.
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UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic on ports and emissions with targets and Green Tug programme. Environment events are rare in Prelims (2 of 327), and this is not a debate item.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.