The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in India is taking a significant step towards bolstering the country's economic growth by developing state-of-the-art port infrastructure. Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), a prominent Major Port on India's West Coast, is set to ink a concession agreement with DP World, a global logistics giant headquartered in Dubai. This agreement is aimed at establishing a modern mega container terminal at Tuna-Tekra, Gujarat, near Kandla.
Costing Rs 4,243.64 crore and structured as a 30-year Public Private Partnership (PPP) project under Hindustan Infralog Private Limited (a joint venture of DP World and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund), the terminal's construction aligns with the Government of India's Vision 2047 and the goal of quadrupling port handling capacity. Once operational, the terminal's annual capacity is projected to reach 2.19 million container units, enabling the accommodation of next-generation vessels with capacities of over 18,000 TEUs.
The development is strategically positioned to meet the growing trade demands of Northern, Western, and Central India, acting as a conduit to global markets. It's anticipated to reduce congestion at Kandla creek, enhance handling capabilities for larger container ships, and decrease turnaround times. The project will also foster sustainable port practices in alignment with green guidelines. With a strong multimodal connectivity, including road, rail, and highways, the terminal is poised to be a vital link between the hinterland and global markets, in line with the Prime Minister's initiatives such as the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan and National Logistics Policy.
