Deendayal Port Authority, overseeing Kandla port in Gujarat’s Kutch district, has announced plans for a second satellite port aimed at enhancing operational capacity and efficiency. Positioned strategically between the Adani Ports-managed Tuna-Tekra bulk cargo terminal and Kandla Creek, the project is estimated to cost over ₹20,000 crore, as stated by Deputy Chairman Nandeesh Shukla.
Currently, Tuna-Tekra operates as Kandla’s first satellite facility, located just 15 kilometers from the main port. The proposal for an additional satellite port is still in its early stages, with Shukla highlighting the potential for significant development in the region.
The ongoing infrastructure expansion at Tuna-Tekra includes a dry bulk terminal managed by Adani Ports and a new terminal being constructed by DP World Ltd, which boasts a capacity of 2.19 million TEUs and an investment of ₹4,243.64 crore. Furthermore, the port authority is preparing to issue a tender for a multipurpose cargo berth at Tuna-Tekra, projected at ₹1,719.22 crore, pending government approval to revise project terms after prior setbacks.
Since its inception in 1931 with just two jetties, Kandla port has evolved into India’s second-largest state-owned port by cargo volume, currently capable of handling 269.10 million tonnes annually. In FY24, the port managed 132.3 million tonnes of cargo, with expectations to nearly double this figure to 267 million tonnes by 2030, reflecting a robust annual growth rate of 10%.
This new satellite facility is integral to a broader initiative to transform Kandla into a mega port, enhancing its role in serving Northern India’s hinterland, including key states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab.
