Gujarat, a major economic hub with a 1,600 km coastline, is driving trade and industry growth through robust infrastructure and business-friendly policies. The state’s 49 operational ports, including the central government-managed Deendayal Port and 48 non-major ports under the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), handle around 41% of India’s maritime cargo, making Gujarat a key player in global trade connectivity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has frequently commended Gujarat's port infrastructure, noting, “In the last two decades, we have worked to transform Gujarat’s coastline into India’s gateway to prosperity, creating new employment opportunities and modernising ports.” When Modi became Chief Minister in 2001, Gujarat’s coastal potential was underutilised due to inadequate infrastructure. A centerpiece of Gujarat’s port-led growth is the Mundra Port, now India’s largest private port. Its success has fuelled exports in agriculture and manufacturing, attracted investments, and spurred growth in industries like petrochemicals, textiles, and automobiles. The development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) around ports has further strengthened Gujarat’s industrial base. Ravi Joshi, Managing Director, Transvoy Logistics India Limited, explained, “Port development stimulates growth in surrounding areas. For instance, chemical, textile, and steel industries around Kandla and Mundra have benefited from better transportation facilities. Similarly, smaller ports will aid industries in their vicinity.” Cities such as Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Surat, and Valsad have been earmarked for port-led development based on factors like deep water access, waterfront space, and connectivity to roads and railways. These locations have the potential to support sustainable industrial growth and foster economic progress. Gujarat’s advancements in road infrastructure and maritime development have also earned it a high ranking in the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Index. At the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted Gujarat’s commitment to progress under the leadership of Narendra Modi, stating, “Gujarat embraces the vision of 'Ports for Prosperity and Progress.'” The development of minor ports is benefiting local businesses. Ajay Singh, a Surat-based coal trader, noted, “The expansion of ports allows traders easy access to coal imports from the U.S. and Indonesia, reducing transportation and cargo handling costs.” In 2023-24, Gujarat’s non-major ports handled 449.26 million metric tons (MMT) of cargo, up from 416.36 MMT the previous year—a 5% increase in traffic over the past decade. Under Bhupendra Patel’s leadership, the Gujarat government is furthering Modi’s vision of harnessing the blue economy through initiatives like the PM Gati Shakti Gujarat project. A key undertaking is the 350 km South Coastal Corridor, part of a larger 1,761 km route from Umargam to Narayan Sarovar, aimed at enhancing industrial connectivity, promoting tourism, and streamlining cargo movement through ports like Dahej and Hazira. (ET)