Centre Approves Rs 472 Crore Road Over Bridge to Boost Tuna-Tekra Port Connectivity

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has approved a Rs 472 crore project for construction of a Road Over Bridge, along with associated roads and allied facilities, at Tuna-Tekra, part of Deendayal Port in Gujarat’s Kutch district.

What does the project involve?

The scheme includes comprehensive civil works such as viaduct structures, a bridge over a creek, and provisions for maintenance over a 10-year period to ensure long-term operational efficiency and durability. The proposal was earlier appraised by the Delegated Investment Board in a meeting chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways before receiving final approval.

Why is this bridge critical for Tuna-Tekra’s upcoming facilities?

The ROB is strategically designed to serve as the primary connectivity link for the upcoming Mega Container Terminal, which has a planned handling capacity of 2.19 million TEUs, and the Multipurpose Cargo Berth, with a capacity of 18.33 MMTPA, both coming up at Tuna-Tekra. Upon completion, the bridge is expected to significantly reduce logistics turnaround time, improve supply chain efficiency and support the rapid scale-up of port operations in the region.

How is the project timeline being coordinated with the container terminal?

Execution of the ROB will be closely synchronised with the commissioning of the Tuna-Tekra Container Terminal, which is currently at 45 percent physical progress, ensuring that supporting infrastructure is ready in time for the terminal’s operations. The project is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless cargo evacuation, addressing potential rail-road bottlenecks, and facilitating smooth movement of heavy-duty port traffic.

What did Sonowal say about the significance of this approval?

Sonowal said India’s maritime sector is undergoing a transformational shift under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that the project will significantly strengthen port-led development, improve logistics efficiency and contribute to India’s emergence as a global maritime powerhouse.

What does this mean for Deendayal Port’s broader development?

The approval reinforces the government’s continued focus on strengthening infrastructure around Deendayal Port, aligning with its long-term maritime roadmap to expand cargo evacuation capacity and support the port’s growing container and multipurpose cargo handling ambitions on India’s western coast.