The Marine Aids to Navigation Bill 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 15, 2021. The bill was moved by Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mansukh Mandaviya.
Highlights
This initiative is part of the proactive approach which was adopted by Ministry of Shipping by repealing the archaic colonial laws and replacing them with the modern and contemporary needs in the maritime industry.
Marine Aids to Navigation Bill, 2021
The bill seeks to provide a fresh framework so as to establish and manage the vessel traffic services. It also seeks to use the term “marine aids to navigation” instead of “lighthouse” in order to enable the use of modern forms of aids in the navigation. The bill seeks to replace the nine-decade-old law governing the lighthouses. The bill was introduced in line with the technological changes which are taking place at fast speed in the marine navigation. It also seeks to rename the “Director General of Lighthouse and Lightships” as the “Director General” so as to provide a framework to establish, operate and manage the vessel traffic services and other functions such as wreck flagging, training & certification. The bill also proposes to incorporate technological developments, global best practices and international obligations of India in marine navigation field. The bill also seeks to identify and develop the heritage lighthouses.
Aim of the Bill
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha with the aim of repealing the colonial Lighthouse Act, 1927. It also aims to empower the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) by providing the additional power and functions.