Gujarat to develop new ports

The Gujarat government has finalised plans to develop six to seven new ports in the state. Large investments would flow into the port sector in the coming years. The state is planning ports at Dahej, Nargol, Vansi Borsi and Kutchhigarh, and works related to the project are at different stages. It is expected that these six-seven port projects alone will attract an investment of Rs 5,500-7,000 crore in the next 2-3 years. Adani Group is already developing a solid cargo port at Hazira. The government has also identified Dholera and Khambhat as prospective sites for developing ports.

The ports would enable the state government to make maximum use of the state's 1,600-km long coastline, which is ideal to facilitate move­ment of goods. Minor ports in Gujarat account for 76 per cent of the total cargo handled in the country. The total cargo handling capacity of minor ports in the state is around 300 million metric tonne per annum (mmtpa).