India develops minor ports to improve the efficiency of local traders

Gujarat, with its extensive 1,600 km coastline, has become a significant driver of India’s trade and industrial growth, leveraging its well-developed infrastructure and forward-looking policies. This is reported by ANI, a partner of TV BRICS.

The state is home to 49 operational ports, including the central Deendayal Port and 48 non-major ports overseen by the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), which handle approximately 41 per cent of India’s maritime cargo, making it a vital hub for economic activity.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that, over the last two decades, Gujarat has transformed its coastline into a gateway to prosperity, creating substantial employment and business opportunities through port development. His vision, initiated during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, included the expansion of minor ports and the modernisation of existing ones to turn Gujarat into a global trade hub.

A flagship project of this transformation is Mundra Port, India’s largest private port, which has become a key driver of export growth in sectors such as agriculture, petrochemicals, textiles, and automobiles. Its success has attracted significant investment and boosted the local economy.

The growth of minor ports is also fuelling local industry, with cities like Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Surat, and Valsad earmarked for further port-led development. These areas, chosen for their strategic location and connectivity to road and rail networks, demonstrate great potential for sustainable industrial growth.

The ongoing development of minor ports is enhancing efficiency for local traders and facilitating access to imported goods such as coal.

The source claims that Gujarat’s ports will continue to drive industrial connectivity, boost tourism, and enhance access for faster cargo movement, securing the state’s position as a leader in India’s blue economy.

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