Gujarat identifies 4 locations for port-led urban development

The Gujarat Maritime Board(GMB) has narrowed down four locations within the state for its ambitious Port-Led City Development project. According to official release, it was revealed that consultants appointed by GMB have identified potential sites in Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Surat, and Valsad districts. These selections were made after extensive site evaluations, considering factors like access to deep-water ports, ample waterfront area, strong connectivity to transportation networks, and the capacity to foster sustainable industrial growth.
More than a decade after it was initially conceptualized, the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) has moved forward by identifying four coastal cities—Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Surat, and Valsad—for its port-led development project. Modeled after global maritime centers like Dubai and Singapore, this initiative aims to transform Gujarat's coastline into a hub of international commerce.
The project is poised to bring about industrial expansion, job creation, and the establishment of a robust maritime ecosystem, positioning Gujarat as a global trade leader. The selected locations were chosen meticulously based on criteria such as deep-water accessibility, extensive waterfront space, and well-established road and rail networks, ensuring their long-term viability for industrial growth. 
Rajkumar Beniwal, MD of GMB, highlighted the project's scale: "We are developing a port city with a complete ecosystem, much like Dubai or Singapore. After an international consultant's study, we narrowed down from 10 to four prime locations. The port city will be built over 300-400 sq km in phases. It will feature a port, industrial zone for MSMEs, logistics hub with warehousing, and residential-commercial zones. It's set to attract major investments. The final site will be chosen in three months."
Among the shortlisted sites, South Gujarat stands out with its excellent connectivity and proximity to key cargo hubs like SEZs. Bhavnagar is a strong contender because of its deep draft and strategic positioning. Surat, situated near the industrial powerhouse of Hazira, also ranks high due to its established infrastructure and close links to major ports and industries, making it ideal for industrial and port-led development, the GMB reportedly stated.
The selection of the final four sites for the Port-Led City development was based on a multi-criteria analysis framework, ensuring that each location met essential maritime, industrial, and environmental standards. The evaluation was done using a Multi-Criteria Matrix (MCM), where each criterion was assigned a weight based on importance. Scores were calculated for each location based on how well they met the criteria, and the top four locations were selected through this structured ranking system. The stringent selection ensures the sites will support the sustainable and efficient development of the port-led city vision, the officials added.

(State Correspondent)