MAJOR PORTS OF INDIA — LOCATION, FUNCTIONS AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

MAJOR PORTS OF INDIA — LOCATION, FUNCTIONS AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

1. Importance of Ports in India

• Ports are vital gateways connecting India with global markets and supporting foreign trade, coastal shipping, energy security, industry and logistics.
• India has a coastline of about 7,500 km and presently has 12 major ports, besides numerous non-major ports administered mainly by State Governments. (Ship Ministry)
• Major ports handle containers, crude oil, petroleum products, coal, iron ore, fertilizers and other bulk and general cargo.

2. Jawaharlal Nehru Port — Maharashtra

• Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is located at Nhava Sheva near Mumbai.
• It is India’s premier and largest container port, handling about 53.95% of container traffic at major ports in TEU terms during 2024–25. (Ship Ministry)
• Its proximity to Mumbai and strong rail-road connectivity make it a major gateway for containerised trade.

3. Mumbai Port — Maharashtra

• Mumbai is one of India’s oldest major natural harbours on the west coast.
• It handles petroleum products, chemicals, general cargo and coastal traffic.
• Together with JNPA, it serves the highly industrialised hinterland of Maharashtra and adjoining States.

4. Deendayal Port — Gujarat

• Deendayal Port, formerly Kandla Port, is situated on the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat.
• It was developed after Independence partly to compensate for the loss of Karachi Port following Partition and was declared a major port in 1955. (deendayalport.gov.in)
• It handles petroleum, chemicals, fertilizers, foodgrains, salt and other bulk cargo and serves a vast north-western hinterland.

5. Chennai and Kamarajar Ports — Tamil Nadu

• Chennai Port is an important artificial harbour on the Coromandel Coast and handles containers, automobiles and general cargo.
• Nearby Kamarajar Port at Ennore was developed as a modern deep-draft port, initially focusing strongly on coal and subsequently diversified cargo.
• Chennai ranked second among major ports in container traffic share during 2024–25. (Ship Ministry)

6. V.O. Chidambaranar Port — Tamil Nadu