India's Deendayal Port Authority at Kandla, Gujarat, has entered into a significant concession agreement with DP World, a UAE-based group, for the establishment of a massive greenfield container terminal. Valued at ₹4,243.64 crore, this venture is projected to have a substantial impact on trade and economic growth within India, the third-largest economy in Asia. The terminal is envisioned to alleviate supply chain constraints, stimulate exports, and contribute to India's goal of achieving a $5 trillion economy. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the terminal's alignment with the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan and National Logistics Policy, aiming to enhance India's infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.

The project is a crucial component of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to position India as a manufacturing powerhouse. The strategic location of India's 7,500-km coastline on major global shipping routes underscores the potential of port development for economic advancement. The greenfield terminal will be equipped to handle advanced vessels carrying over 18,000 TEUs, alleviating infrastructure bottlenecks that impede GDP growth. With a capacity of 2.19 million TEUs annually, the Kandla terminal will serve trade demands across northern, western, and central India, connecting these regions to worldwide markets. The project is expected to quadruple port-handling capacity, foster multimodal logistics infrastructure, and generate direct and indirect employment opportunities across various sectors.