Government Approves ₹132.51 Crore Port Connectivity Project at Deendayal Port

In a major boost to India’s port-led infrastructure development, the government has approved a ₹132.51 crore project aimed at improving connectivity and easing cargo movement at Deendayal Port in Gujarat.

The project involves the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) at a key rail crossing (LC-235), a move expected to address long-standing logistical bottlenecks and significantly enhance operational efficiency at the port. The initiative has been cleared by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under the leadership of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

The development forms a part of the government’s flagship Sagarmala Programme and aligns with the broader vision of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, both of which focus on strengthening multi-modal connectivity and improving logistics efficiency across the country.

According to the official release, the project will be executed by Western Railway on a deposit basis. Once completed, the ROB is expected to eliminate congestion caused by rail crossings, enabling smoother and faster evacuation of cargo from the port. This is likely to improve turnaround times and support the seamless flow of goods, particularly for export-import operations.

Speaking on the development, the minister emphasised that the project reflects the government’s continued push towards building modern and efficient port infrastructure. He noted that removing critical bottlenecks at major ports is essential to enhancing India’s logistics competitiveness and strengthening its position as a global maritime hub.

The proposal was earlier reviewed by the Delegated Investment Board, which assessed the revised project cost to ensure compliance with modern safety and technical standards.

Beyond this project, the ministry has also directed all major ports to integrate their infrastructure projects with the PM Gati Shakti portal. This move is expected to improve coordination among various agencies and accelerate the implementation of large-scale connectivity projects nationwide.

The approval marks another step in India’s ongoing efforts to modernise port infrastructure, reduce logistics costs, and facilitate faster trade movement—key priorities in the country’s ambition to become a global logistics and maritime powerhouse.