MoPSW Advances Public-Private Partnership with Rs. 4,243.64 Crore Mega Terminal Project in Gujarat
CONTAINER TERMINAL HIGHLIGHTS
• Annual capacity of 2.19 million TEU
• 1,100m berth to handle next-generation vessels
• Fully compliant with the green port guidelines
• The terminal will connect Northern, Western and Central India with Global market
• The project aligns with India’s Vision 2047 to quadruple port handling capacity
• The terminal will be a part of the National Infrastructure Pipeline complementing PM Gati Shakti
TFP Bureau, New Delhi; August 27, 2023: A significant stride towards fostering trade connectivity and bolstering economic growth has been realized through the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)’s pivotal move in the realm of Public-Private Partnership (PPP). A momentous concession agreement has been sealed on Saturday between Deendayal Port Authority and DP World, laying the foundation for a colossal Mega-Container Terminal at Tuna Tekra, DPA, Gujarat.
The inauguration of this Next-Gen Container terminal has brought together Deendayal Port Authority and DP World, enshrining their shared vision to accommodate the future trade requirements from Northern, Western, and Central India. Seamlessly connecting these regions with the global markets, the terminal emerges as a crucial contributor to India’s trade landscape.
At the heart of this project lies a state-of-the-art container terminal set to flourish at Tuna Tekra, adjacent to the existing Deendayal Port, a significant investment of Rs. 4,243.64 crores (~$510 million) through the PPP model. With an anticipated annual capacity of 2.19 million TEUs, the terminal will boast a 1,100-meter berth adept at handling advanced vessels carrying over 18,000 TEUs.
The strategic implications of the Mega Terminal are manifold. Not only is it poised to augment Kutch’s economic tapestry, but it will also engender a range of ancillary services such as warehousing, contributing to the growth of ancillary industries. This, in turn, will pave the way for the creation of both direct and indirect employment opportunities, benefiting numerous individuals.
Beyond its regional impact, the Mega Terminal is set to catalyze the economy of Kandla while adhering to sustainable practices. The terminal’s design is fully aligned with green port guidelines, ensuring environmental responsibility in port operations. This commitment towards sustainability is in tandem with India’s long-term aspirations outlined by the government.
The genesis of this concession agreement is a reflection of MoPSW’s overarching strategy to enhance the maritime sector’s growth trajectory. The upcoming Global Maritime Summit 2023, scheduled from 17th to 19th October at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, is poised to attract over 60 countries, exhibitors, and investors, fostering global collaboration in maritime practices.
Highlighting the significance of this project, Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal remarked that the project was approved under the PPP model by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in October 2022. He emphasized the project’s alignment with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, a vision set to quadruple port handling capacity and fuel economic expansion.
Deendayal Port, situated on the West Coast of India in the Gulf of Kutch, services northern India, including landlocked regions like Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The strategic placement of the Container Terminal is expected to optimize container logistics costs in the country. Leveraging deep draft and advanced handling technology, the Terminal is poised to raise the bar in productivity and business facilitation. Furthermore, it is poised to unleash a wave of infrastructure development, benefiting both Kutch and Gujarat as a whole.
