The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved development of a Container Terminal at Tuna-Tekra, Deendayal Port at an estimated cost of Rs 4,243.64 crore.

The project will come up under Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) basis under public-private-partnership (PPP) mode that will be given out through the international competitive bidding process.

In addition, an investment of Rs 296.20 crore will also be made for common user facilities which will be on the part of the Concessioning Authority toward development of common user facilities.

In addition to increasing the business potential of Kandla, the project will boost the economy and generate employment.

The project will cater to the future growth in Container Cargo traffic. From 2025, a net gap of 1.88 Million TEUs shall be available.

Deendayal Port (earlier 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 Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Initially, the Project will cater 14m draught vessels of 6000 TEUs and accordingly, common Access Channel will be dredged & maintained by the Concessioning Authority at 15.50m to navigate container vessels of 14m draught all round the clock.  During the concession period, the Concessionaire will have liberty to handle vessels up to 18m draught by deepening/widening its approach channel, berth pocket and turning circle.