India Unveils ₹57,000 Crore Maritime Development Projects

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has revealed transformative plans to expand Kandla Port and establish a cutting-edge shipbuilding facility for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). The combined investment for these initiatives is estimated at ₹57,000 crores ($6.6 billion).

The first project focuses on constructing a state-of-the-art shipyard designed to build VLCCs with a capacity of 320,000 tonnes DWT. This facility is expected to produce 32 new vessels and handle repairs for 50 ships annually. Spread across 8,000 acres, the project will receive ₹30,000 crores ($3.5 billion) in funding.

The second project involves developing a new terminal at Kandla Port, adding an impressive 135 million tonnes per year to its capacity. Located near Tuna, outside Kandla Creek, the terminal will utilize a 6-kilometer-long waterfront and be equipped with modern cargo handling systems. An investment of ₹27,000 crores ($3.14 billion) has been allocated for this initiative.

These ambitious projects aim to strengthen India's maritime infrastructure, enhance trade capabilities, and drive economic growth.