Guj chalks out development plan for shipyard cluster in Dahej

The government of Gujarat has prepared a development plan for building a shipyard cluster at Dahej in southern Gujarat. The government has approved a fund of Rs 500 crore to develop a marine shipbuilding park on the banks of river Narmada.

In a written reply to a query raised in the state assembly on Monday, Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi, who also holds the ports portfolio, informed that the government was proposing a shipyard cluster on the banks of river Narmada.

A marine shipbuilding park is expected to be developed under this cluster in Dahej.

The government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 500 crore for the project. The minister also informed that a development plan for setting up a shipyard cluster near Dahej had been prepared so far.

The move has come as a step towards making Gujarat the shipbuilding hub of India and a global destination in this sector. The shipyards may also attract private sector players with FDI. The govt intends to focus on development of port-based industry and increasing the capacity of ports through PPP option. An investment of around Rs 3400 crore in port-clusters like Dahej and Bhavnagar is expected in a few years.