Gujarat’s Deendayal Port: In a major boost to Gujarat’s maritime infrastructure, the Centre on Friday greenlit the construction of a new Road Over Bridge (ROB) at Deendayal Port. The project, carrying a price tag of ₹132.51 crore, is set to overhaul cargo movement and fix long-standing traffic bottlenecks at one of India’s busiest ports.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, approved the project as part of the government’s push for port-led development. The construction is being handled by the Western Railway on a deposit basis.
Fixing the Bottlenecks
The new ROB isn’t just about concrete and steel; it’s a strategic move to clear the rail-crossing hurdles that currently slow down the movement of goods. By allowing trucks and trailers to bypass railway lines without stopping, the port expects an uninterrupted flow of cargo.
“This project reflects our commitment to modern, efficient, and seamless port-led connectivity,” Minister Sonowal said. He noted that the bridge will remove “critical bottlenecks” and sharpen India’s overall logistics efficiency.
Part of a Larger Vision
The project is a key piece of the Sagarmala Programme and fits into the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to link different modes of transport—rail, road, and sea—more effectively.
Before the final go-ahead, the proposal was thoroughly vetted by the Delegated Investment Board (DIB) in a meeting chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The ministry also revised the project cost to ensure it meets the latest safety standards and technical specs.
Impact on Trade
Once the work is finished, the port is expected to see:
- Faster Cargo Evacuation: Goods will move out of the port gates much quicker.
- Less Congestion: Local traffic and port vehicles will no longer be stuck at rail crossings.
- Global Standards: The Ministry believes this is a “decisive step” toward making India a global maritime hub.
As Sonowal put it, the focus is on building “integrated infrastructure” that doesn’t just help trade but also makes the roads safer for everyone.
