Gujarat Maritime Board plans land reclamation policy

GMB functions under the State government’s Port Department. It is bringing the comprehensive policy for land users to establish uniformity in land management along Gujarat’s vast coastline and promote the effective use of reclaimed land. 

The policy incorporates the Coastal Regulation Zone and the Indian Ports Act, a senior GMB official said. It will also formalise reclaimed land, among others.

Land reclamation, currently, is carried out through resolutions and circulars. Once the policy is in place, it will streamline this whole process, the sources said. 

Land Reclamation

The policy will also encourage the use of dredged materials for land reclamation, which will help meet the requirement of deepening port navigation channels and reduce the import of expensive material needed for reclamation.

The reclaimed land will be used for the development of ports and terminals, coastal infrastructure, industrial projects, and special economic zones (SEZs). In specific cases, with environmental approval, it may also be used for residential or recreational purposes, but port-related use will be given priority.

Meanwhile, a senior official pointed out that the use of reclaimed land has witnessed an uptick in the country. The Central government has planned the utilisation of such lands through regulations.

In Gujarat, there is still a lack of a clear framework in this regard. 

According to the latest figures released by the Survey of India, India’s coastline, which was 7,516 km in 1970, has increased to 11,098 km. Gujarat’s coastline has increased from 1,640 km to 2,340.62 km. Gujarat’s coastline contains around 144 islands. Nine states and four Union Territories in India have coastlines.