In an attempt to build the world-class port infrastructure in the country, the Union Government is all set to clear multiple port projects involving a staggering investment worth Rs. 48,561cr. In the process it has decided to build three new ports at Dahanu near Palghar district in Maharashtra, Kolachal in South Tamilnadu and also at Sagar Island in West Bengal at an investment worth Rs. 41,226cr, said official sources adding that in addition to this, it has also planned Rs. 6,000cr satellite port at Dahanu to decongest the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai. JNPT will be the main developer for this project. Apart from this, it has also decided to build at an estimated cost worth Rs. 21,000cr at Colachal port in Tamilnadu located about 50 km away from the proposed Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala. The government's 'Saagarmala' project will make India one among the top maritime players in the world. The Government has set a capacity augmentation target of 162.20 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA) at an investment of Rs. 14,226cr.

These apart, port infra builders are waiting in the wings to bag the green field Vizhinjam International Deepwater Seaport being developed by Adani Group in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala at an investment worth Rs. 7,535cr. In this connection, for the Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), the special purpose vehicle (SPV) of the Kerala government, had invited bids for the function of independent engineer (IE) and has received bids from over 16 infrastructure firms for the job, which included AMT (Australian Marine Technology), TUV India, L&T Infrastructure, Tata Consulting, Egis India, AECOM India & Tata Projects, Maritimus, BMT India, Royal Haskoning, DHV India, Worley Parsons, Mott MacDonald, STUP Consultants, i-maritime, COWI India, and HILL International. It may be recalled that to harness the inland waterways will be another major thrust for cargo and passenger movement, which will significantly reduce freight charges. In China, 47% of goods movement is through water, in the West, it is in the region of 43-44 percent, while in India it is just 3.5 percent. Thus, bridging the deficit in the port sector has opened up huge business opportunities for investors and port infra builders alike.