The Deendayal Port Authority and the Dubai-based multinational logistics company, DP World, have recently embarked on a partnership for the Mega Container Terminal Project situated at Tuna Tekra, Gujarat. The collaboration, initiated under the auspices of India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, seeks to improve port capacity, enhance multimodal logistics, and stimulate global connectivity, marking a significant stride in public-private partnership.
Mega Container Terminal: Key Highlights
Designed in adherence to the green port guidelines, the Mega Container Terminal aims to facilitate the transport of 2.19 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, with compatibility for next-generation vessels carrying more than 18,000 TEUs. Offering connections between Northern, Western, and Central India and the global market, the terminal aligns with India’s Vision 2047, aiming to quadruple port handling capacity.
The terminal will play a crucial role in the National Infrastructure Pipeline, complementing PM Gati Shakti. Furthermore, it is expected to bring about an economic transformation for Kutch through the creation of various ancillary services such as warehousing, and direct and indirect employment opportunities.
About Deendayal Port: Essential Information
Also known as Kandla port, Deendayal Port, one of India’s twelve Major Ports, is situated on India’s West Coast, in the Gulf of Kutch within the state of Gujarat. It primarily serves northern India, including landlocked regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Dating back to 1931 when Maharao Khengarji initiated the construction of the RCC Jetty, Deendayal Port progressed to become India’s top port in the year 2007-08, retaining this position for fourteen consecutive years. In 2016, it handled 100 MMT cargo within a year, being the first Major Port to achieve this milestone.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Questions
Previous examination questions attempted to establish the awareness of various port classifications in India. For instance, Kamarajar Port, originally known as Ennore Port, was identified as the first major port in the country registered as a company and the only corporatized major port. Mundra Port, owned by Adani Ports, was recognized as India’s largest privately-owned commercial port.
However, Visakhapatnam Port, situated on the east coast of Andhra Pradesh, was misidentified as the largest container port. The correct answer is Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, located near Mumbai in Maharashtra. The question attempted to distinguish between the categories of ‘major’ and ‘non-major’ ports in the country. Dahej was identified correctly in this context as a ‘non-major’ port.