New Delhi: In a significant set of appointments in the maritime sector, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of new Chairpersons for the Chennai Port Authority and Visakhapatnam Port Authority, while also granting ex-post facto approval for additional charge arrangements at Chennai and New Mangalore Port Authorities.
The decisions, notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Friday (May 8, 2026), are aimed at ensuring continuity in leadership across key ports functioning under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Kurve Sachin Shardchandra Appointed Chairperson of Chennai Port Authority
Senior IAS officer Kurve Sachin Shardchandra (IAS: 2003: Uttarakhand cadre) has been appointed as Chairperson (Joint Secretary level) of Chennai Port Authority.
He has been appointed for a tenure of five years from the date of assumption of charge, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Shardchandra will succeed Sunil Paliwal (IAS: 1993: Tamil Nadu cadre), who was appointed Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India in November 2025.
Jasmeet Singh Bindra Named Chairperson of Visakhapatnam Port Authority
Jasmeet Singh Bindra (IRTS: 1997) has been appointed as Chairperson (Joint Secretary level) of Visakhapatnam Port Authority for a period of five years from the date he assumes office.
He will replace M. Angamuthu (IAS: 2002), who has been serving as Chairperson of Mumbai Port Authority and was holding additional charge of Visakhapatnam Port Authority since November 2025.
Ex-Post Facto Approval for Additional Charge at New Mangalore Port Authority
The ACC has granted ex-post facto approval to Sushil Kumar Singh (IRSME: 1993), Chairperson of Deendayal Port Authority, for holding the additional charge of Chairperson, New Mangalore Port Authority.
The arrangement is valid for six months from December 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026, or until a regular appointment is made, whichever is earlier.
Additional Charge of Chennai Port Authority Approved
The ACC has also approved the entrustment of additional charge of Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority to S. Viswanathan (IAS: 2008: Madhya Pradesh cadre), who is currently serving as Deputy Chairperson of Chennai Port Authority.
This temporary arrangement was also approved for six months from December 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026, or until a regular appointment is made.
Strengthening Leadership at Major Ports
These appointments and interim arrangements are expected to provide stable leadership at some of India’s busiest and most strategically important ports, including:
- Chennai Port Authority
- Visakhapatnam Port Authority
- New Mangalore Port Authority
- Deendayal Port Authority
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has been actively filling senior positions to support ongoing port modernization, logistics integration and maritime infrastructure expansion.
