Container Terminal Project at Deendayal Port | 29 Aug 2023

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the Deendayal Port Authority and Dubai-based DP World, a multinational logistics company, partnered for the Mega Container Terminal Project at Tuna Tekra, Gujarat. The initiative was initiated by India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW).

  • With the aim to enhance port capacity, foster multimodal logistics, and promote global connectivity, this venture signifies a pivotal step in public-private partnership.

What are the Key Highlights of Container Terminal?

  • The terminal will have an annual capacity to handle 2.19 million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) with capability to handle next-generation vessels carrying more than 18,000 TEUs.
  • Mega Container Terminal Project is fully compliant with the green port guidelines.
  • The terminal will connect Northern, Western and Central India with the 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.
  • The Container Terminal is expected to transform the economic landscape of Kutch, with the creation of several ancillary services like warehousing, etc. and also result in the creation of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

What are the Key Points About Deendayal Port?

  • Deendayal Port, also known as Kandla port, is one of the twelve Major Ports in India and is located on the West Coast of India, in the Gulf of Kutch in the State of Gujarat.
  • Deendayal Port primarily services northern India, including the landlocked Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
  • Deendayal Port’s journey began in 1931 with the construction of RCC Jetty by Maharao Khengarji. After the independence of India in 1947, Deendayal Port emerged to be India’s No. 1 Port in the year 2007-08 and has retained the top position for the 14th consecutive year since then.
  • In 2016, Deendayal Port created history by handling 100 MMT cargo in a year – the first Major Port to achieve this milestone.
  • It is the largest port in India by volume of cargo handled.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q1. Consider the following pairs:

Port Well known as
1. Kamarajar Port First major port in India registered as a company
2. Mundra Port Largest privately owned port in India
3. Visakhapatnam Port Largest container port in India

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) All three pairs 
(d) None of the pairs

Explanation: (b)

  • Kamarajar Port, formerly known as Ennore Port, is the first major port in India registered as a company and is the only corporatized major port in India. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.
    • It was declared as the 12th major port of India in March 1999 and incorporated as Ennore Port Limited under the Companies Act, 1956 in October 1999.
    • It is located on the Coromandel Coast about 24 km north of Chennai Port, Tamil Nadu.
  • Mundra Port is India's largest commercial port located on the northern shores of the Gulf of Kutch near Mundra, Kutch district, Gujarat. It is owned and operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), which is a part of Adani Group.
    • It was established in 1998 as a private sector port and became operational in October 2001. It handles various types of cargo such as containers, bulk, break-bulk, liquid, chemicals, automobiles, etc. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched.
  • Visakhapatnam Port, located on the east coast of India in Andhra Pradesh, is not the largest container port in India. It is one of the oldest and largest major ports in India, handling various types of cargo such as iron ore, coal, petroleum products, fertilisers, containers, etc.
    • The largest container port in India is Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), located near Mumbai in Maharashtra. Hence, pair 3 is NOT correctly matched.

Q. In India, the ports are categorized as major and nonmajor ports. Which one of the following is a nonmajor port? (2009)

(a) Kochi (Cochin)
(b) Dahej
(c) Paradip
(d) New Mangalore

Ans: (b)