The Indian government has unveiled an ambitious plan to develop six mega ports by 2047 to boost trade, economy and infrastructure. This move is in line with the government’s vision to make India a $5 trillion economy.
Key Highlights
- Six mega ports to be developed – Vadhavan (Maharashtra), Paradip (Odisha), Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu), Mangalore (Karnataka), Devbhumi Dwarka (Gujarat) and Vijaydurg (Maharashtra)
- Total investment expected is over Rs 3 lakh crore
- Port capacity to be increased from current 1,500 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to over 3,000 MTPA
- Expected to boost trade, connectivity and infrastructure
- Will create employment opportunities
- Paradip to become one of the largest ports globally
Strategic Significance
The development of these ports holds great strategic significance for India:
- Strengthen trade routes – These mega ports with world-class infrastructure will allow India to meet its exponentially growing maritime trade requirements
- Boost connectivity and integration – Will boost port connectivity, port-led development and coastal community development
- Make manufacturing competitive – Reduced logistics costs and improved interconnectivity will boost India’s manufacturing competitiveness
- Economic growth – Will lead to substantial long-term economic growth, urbanization and job creation
Key Features
The key features of the mega port projects are:
Paradip Mega Port (Odisha)
- To be developed as one of the largest ports globally
- Capacity to be augmented from current 140 MTPA to 330+ MTPA
- Dredging works to enable handling of large Cape size vessels
- New deep draft iron ore berth, coal terminal and container terminal
Vadhavan Mega Port (Maharashtra)
- Greenfield port to be developed in multiple phases
- Target capacity of over 200 MTPA
- State-of-the-art infrastructure for cargo handling
- Supported by road, rail and air connectivity
Location and Connectivity
All six locations have been strategically selected to boost port connectivity and harness port-led development across India’s coastal regions.
- Paradip: Strategic location, existing port infrastructure and connectivity to major industrial regions and coal belt areas
- Vadhavan: Close proximity to major shipping routes, connectivity to Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and proposed dedicated freight corridor
- Vijaydurg: Suitable depth availability, closeness to the proposed Delink-Chennai Industrial Corridor
- Tuticorin: Gateway port location to serve container traffic to/from south Tamil Nadu area
Infrastructure and Technology
The ports will be developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology:
- Mechanization of cargo handling to increase efficiency
- Technology to provide real-time data and visibility
- Renewable energy sources to supply power
- Digitalization initiatives across processes through port community systems
- Coastal community development as per Sagarmala guidelines
Funding and Investments
The mega port projects are expected to attract investments from:
- Major port trusts
- Port developers
- Domestic and foreign investors
- Multilateral agencies
Over Rs 2.5 lakh crore investments have already been firmed up. Public-Private Partnership models will be used for optimal risk sharing.
Key Details of Mega Port Projects
| Port | Location | Investment (Rs Cr) | Current Capacity | Projected Capacity |
| Paradip | Odisha | 52,000 | 140 MTPA | 330+ MTPA |
| Vadhavan | Maharashtra | 65,544 | 0 | 200+ MTPA |
| Vijaydurg | Maharashtra | 40,000 | NA | 100+ MTPA |
| Tuticorin | Tamil Nadu | 56,857 | 34 MTPA | Over 100 MTPA |
| Mangalore | Karnataka | 23,441 | 40 MTPA | Over 120 MTPA |
| Devbhumi Dwarka | Gujarat | 15,941 | NA | 110+ MTPA |
Examples
- The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) near Mumbai is an excellent example of how port-led development has driven economic growth. Developed through the PPP model, JNPT is now one of the top 10 container ports globally. It has transformed the economies of Navi Mumbai and the surrounding Raigad region.
- Similar port-led development is envisaged for the Vadhavan port.
- The Kamarajar port in Ennore, Chennai has state-of-the-art coal, iron ore and general cargo terminals with mechanized handling systems. It serves as an excellent model for the planned upgrading and mechanization of the Tuticorin mega port.
