Chapter III PORT AND PORT LIMITS

No port shall commence or carry on operations therein unless it is,— (a) an existing port; or (b) a new port notified under sub-section (1) of section 11: Provided that the Government may, by notification, declare a port or part thereof non-operational in the following cases, namely:— (i) if such port or part thereof has been non-operational for a continuous period of ten years; or (ii) in the interest of national security; or (iii) for any other reason, as the Government may deem fit.

(1) The Government may notify a new port and alter the limits of any port: Provided that any notification issued under this sub-section for alteration of port limits shall not have retrospective effect. (2) The Central Government in consultation with State Government shall prescribe the norms, form and manner for declaring a new port and for altering the port limits under sub-section (1).

(1) The Central Government may formulate a national perspective plan so as to meet the requirements of the maritime trade and to prioritise associated infrastructure development. (2) The Central Government, State Governments and the Authority shall endeavour to adhere to the national perspective plan formulated by the Central Government and the guidelines issued by the Council.