Deendayal Port Set to Become Mega Hub Soon

Why in the news?

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced plans to transform Deendayal Port into a mega port within three years, with a cargo handling capacity of 300 million tonnes annually, alongside projects like a shipbuilding cluster to boost regional growth.

About Development Plans for Deendayal Port:

  • Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that Deendayal Port in Kutch will be transformed into a mega port within the next three years.
  • The port’s cargo handling capacity is expected to reach 300 million tonnes annually, boosting local employment and economic growth.
  • Deendayal Port is currently India’s leading port in cargo handling capacity.

New Projects and Expansion Plans

  • A new mega port will be established beyond the creek area in Kandla to meet growing demand.
  • The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) has initiated a project to set up a shipbuilding cluster, aimed at enhancing the port’s infrastructure and operations.
  • These initiatives will strengthen the port’s position as a significant hub for maritime trade in India.

About Deendayal Port (Kandla Port):

  • Location: Situated on the Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat, India.
  • Strategic Importance: Handles trade for northern and western India; one of India’s largest and busiest ports.
  • History: Built in the 1950s post-partition; renamed Deendayal Port in 2017 to honor Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
  • Type: Artificial tidal port managing bulk, liquid, and container cargo.
  • Infrastructure: Specialized terminals and India’s first Free Trade Zone (FTZ) established to boost exports and attract industries.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times