Adani Ports, Vedanta, Essar Ports, and Gautam Freight have submitted initial bids to develop a ₹1,552.57 crore multipurpose cargo berth at Tuna Tekra, near Kandla, under Deendayal Port Authority.

The terminal, designed to handle 18.33 million tonnes of cargo (excluding liquid and containers), marks the authority’s third attempt to attract private investment for the project. The winning bidder will be selected based on the highest royalty per tonne of cargo handled. The berth will cater to dry cargo such as food grains, fertilisers, coal, minerals, and steel, with the capacity to dock 100,000 DWT vessels. The private developer will fund construction, equipment, utilities, and rail connectivity, while the port authority will cover dredging costs up to 15 metres. Dredging beyond 15 metres will be cost-shared. The project, crucial to easing congestion at Deendayal Port, has already secured environmental and CRZ clearance, and allows tariff flexibility for the operator.