The Fisheries & Ports Department, Govt. of Kerala on October 12, 2026, issued the Draft Kerala Inland Vessels (Mechanically Propelled) Manner of Discharge of Pollutants at the Port Reception Facilities and Submission of Report Rules, 2026.
The following has been stated:
• The draft requires owners or operators of cargo and passenger terminals handling mechanically propelled inland vessels to establish and register port reception facilities, with a minimum of two facilities at each terminal, adequate infrastructure for receiving, storing, treating and disposing of waste, and certification of infrastructure sufficiency by the concerned Port Officer or Port Conservator. Inland vessels shall segregate garbage into colour-coded bags, notify reception facilities in advance of waste discharge, maintain disposal records, obtain receipts or certificates after discharge, and prevent pollutants from entering inland waters. Oil tankers and other vessels carrying oil as cargo shall maintain an Oil Record Book, while vessels shall maintain an oil-spill response plan. The prescribed charges are ₹10 per kg for solid waste and ₹5,000 per tonne for liquid waste, excluding GST.
• Terminal owners or operators shall submit quarterly reports detailing waste received and disposal measures, ensure safe transportation and disposal, maintain adequate insurance, and display facility availability and charges. Terminals shall be registered and are subject to periodic surveys, while non-compliant inland vessels may not be surveyed by designated-authority surveyors, subject to the provision allowing reasonable time for compliance where justified.
• Objections and suggestions are invited by November 11, 2026.
[Notification No. - 20/2026/F&P]
