Brownfield Port to be developed at Bhavnagar with ₹4,024 crore investment: Minister Raghavji Patel
GANDHINAGAR : Minister Shri Raghavji Patel on Tuesday stated that, given the vast coastline of Gujarat, the role of the state’s ports is very important in strengthening the state’s economy.
Participating in the discussion on the budgetary demand of the Port Division under the Port Department, Minister Raghavji Patel said that about 28 percent of the country’s coastline is available to Gujarat. With various innovative projects, prioritizing the development of ports, Gujarat is leading the export sector across the country.
He added that the state government has formulated an intensive plan for the integrated development of the state’s ports. As part of this, the LNG terminal, newly constructed with a private investment of ₹4,239 crore at Chhara in Gir Somnath district, was commissioned in 2024. Concession agreements have also been made for the development of a brownfield port in the northern part of Bhavnagar Port, with an estimated investment of ₹4,024 crore.
Additionally, as part of the expansion of Dahej Port facilities, the construction of the third jetty is in progress by M/s. Petronet LNG with a private investment of ₹1,656.15 crore. The construction of the second jetty at Dahej by M/s. Gujarat Chemical Port Terminal, at an estimated cost of ₹3,322 crore, is also in progress.
The construction of a multi-purpose berth, 182 meters in length, has been completed under Phase-2 of the port facilities with a capacity of 12 to 15 MMT at a total cost of ₹3,559.6 crore for the development of the Bulk General Cargo Terminal at Hazira.
Providing details about Gujarat’s contribution to national security through Coast Guard Jetties, the Minister said that a total expenditure of ₹430.8 crore is planned for the construction of Coast Guard Jetties at Porbandar, Okha, and Mundra. Of this, the work for jetties at Okha and Porbandar, on behalf of the Coast Guard, is in progress at a cost of ₹260 crore. Various works, such as the construction of pilot boats for monitoring purposes, dust suppression system upgrades for environmental protection, multi-purpose fire tenders, and a 485-meter jetty at Navlakhi Port, have been completed at a total cost of ₹253.78 crore to support industries like ceramics and inland coastal cargo.
He added that container handling facilities have been planned at Navlakhi Port to meet the immediate needs of the ceramic industry located in Morbi. At the same time, Navlakhi Port is being prepared for coastal shipping by linking it with other ports in the country.
The Minister said that, as part of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, to embody the concept of a Port City, the Gujarat Maritime Board has set up an ambitious project by establishing a Port City. The Port City was announced with the objective of promoting economic growth, residential, industrial activities, and entertainment opportunities. It will cover a large area of approximately 500 square km, with a multi-cargo handling port capable of handling 250 to 500 MMTPA (Million Metric Tons Per Annum).
Minister Patel said that our government has also planned to select new sites for the development of greenfield ports and upgrade existing port facilities. Ten greenfield ports will be selected for development on the coast and offered to private companies for development and operation. Additionally, efforts are being made to upgrade ports managed by the Gujarat Maritime Board.
Providing details about road and rail connectivity to ports and related infrastructure facilities, he said that the state government has undertaken various schemes to provide good road and rail connectivity to most of the ports. The Gujarat Maritime Board has identified road projects connecting 18 ports and 11 railway connectivity projects. The implementation of these projects will greatly facilitate the transportation of goods from the ports and also reduce logistics costs.
He added that, in the ship recycling sector, an ambitious plan has been undertaken to double the recycling capacity at Alang from the current 4.5 million LDT (Light Displacement Tonnage) to more than 9 million LDT. Considering the slowdown in the ship recycling industry, the Gujarat government has provided financial relief of approximately ₹114 crore to the plot holders at the annual rates applicable over the last five years. It is also proposed to provide financial relief of ₹28 crore for the year 2025-26.
For environmental protection and sustainable development, the Gujarat Maritime Board operates within the limits of national and international environmental protection laws to ensure that the development of ports, related infrastructure facilities, and the coastal area is environmentally sustainable. The environmental management system of the ports under the Gujarat Maritime Board has been made more effective, and the ports are managed in compliance with environmental regulations.