Gujarat's minor ports driving local industry and efficiency

With 49 operational ports, including the central government-managed Deendayal Port and 48 non-major ports under the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), the state leads in cargo throughput.

Handling about 41 per cent of India's maritime cargo, Gujarat's ports are vital gateways, fuelling economic growth and global connectivity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised Gujarat's port infrastructure many times. In one of his speeches, he stated, "In the last two decades, we have sincerely worked to transform Gujarat's coastline into the gateway of India's prosperity. We have created new employment opportunities. In Gujarat, we have developed numerous ports and modernized many others."

When Narendra Modi became Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, the state's coastal potential was underutilized due to poor infrastructure.

He aimed to transform Gujarat into a global trade hub by developing minor ports and modernizing and expanding existing ones.

A key element of this vision was Mundra Port, which grew into India's largest private port, showcasing its strategy to leverage Gujarat's strategic location.

Mundra's success boosted exports in agriculture and manufacturing, attracted investment, and spurred rapid growth in sectors like petrochemicals, textiles, and automobiles, strengthening Gujarat's industrial base through Special Economic Zones.

Ravi Joshi, Managing Director of Ahmedabad-based Transvoy Logistics India Limited, said, "Due to the presence of ports, development tends to occur in the surrounding areas. For example, in Kandla and Mundra, the growth of chemical, textile, and steel factories has been supported by improved transportation facilities. Similarly, the development of smaller ports will benefit the industries located in their surrounding areas."

The cities of Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Surat, and Valsad have been shortlisted for port-led development based on key criteria such as their proximity to deep water access, availability of ample waterfront space, and strong connectivity to road and rail networks.

These locations also demonstrate significant potential to support sustainable industrial growth, making them ideal candidates for driving economic progress through port infrastructure and trade.

Gujarat's strong road connectivity and maritime development have significantly contributed to its high ranking in the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Index.

During the seminar on port-led development at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) 2024, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated, "Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new history of prosperity has been created through ports in the country. Gujarat, too, has embraced the mantra of 'Ports for Prosperity and Ports for Progress.'"

Gujarat's minor seaports are a lifeline for local entrepreneurs like Ajay Singh, who has thrived thanks to the development of Hazira Port--a versatile, multi-cargo hub in South Gujarat.

The growth of these minor ports is helping industries save on transportation and cargo handling costs, enhancing overall efficiency and competitiveness.

Ajay Singh, a coal trader from Surat, said, "Local traders are happy because the development of ports allows them to easily access coal coming from the U.S. and Indonesia. The development of minor ports is significant for local traders."

Over the past decade, traffic at Gujarat's non-major ports has grown by 5 per cent.

In 2023-24, Gujarat Maritime Board ports handled 449.26 MMT of cargo, up from 416.36 MMT the previous year.

Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Gujarat government is advancing Narendra Modi's vision of harnessing the blue economy through the PM Gati Shakti Gujarat initiative.

A key project is the 350 km South Coastal Corridor, part of a 1,761 km route from Umargam to Narayan Sarovar, enhancing industrial connectivity, boosting tourism, and improving access to ports like Dahej and Hazira for faster cargo movement.

This will help boost industrial connectivity and unlock the region's tourism potential. (ANI)