Essar Ports Secures Approval for ₹2,276 Crore Multipurpose Cargo Terminal at Kandla, Gujarat

21 October 2026: Essar Ports Limited has secured a Letter of Award (LoA) from Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) for developing a multipurpose cargo terminal at Tuna Tekra, Kandla, Gujarat, with an estimated investment of ₹2,276.06 crore. The project will be implemented under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, with a 30-year concession period. Essar Ports will invest approximately ₹1,552.57 crore, while DPA will contribute ₹723.49 crore towards associated infrastructure. The proposed terminal will have an annual cargo-handling capacity of 18.33 million tonnes, primarily catering to dry bulk and other non-containerised cargo. The development will involve modern cargo-handling facilities, berth infrastructure, dredging and common-user connectivity infrastructure to accommodate larger vessels and improve operational efficiency. Essar Ports emerged as the successful bidder through a competitive bidding process. The project is expected to strengthen Kandla Port's cargo-handling capabilities, enhance maritime logistics, support industrial trade and improve connectivity across northern India's hinterland.