Mumbai, Oct. 1 -- The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has classified Mundra, Deendayal, Jawaharlal Nehru and Paradip as India's first mega ports under Section 73 of the Indian Ports Act, 2025. The notification was issued on September 25, 2026, by Praveen P Nair, Joint Secretary in the ministry, and took effect upon publication in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary).
Mundra Port, operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, is the only privately owned facility among the four. Deendayal Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Paradip Port are government-run facilities that have played a major role in India's maritime trade. Mundra has been classified as a port other than a major port because it was privately developed.
The classification is based on performance, including high annual cargo volumes, rather than ownership. The approach marks a shift in the government's infrastructure and policy focus towards the country's busiest maritime hubs. The criteria for the designation were set out in a gazette notification issued on July 30, 2026.
The mega port status will remain valid for five years. The ports will therefore need to sustain their cargo throughput to retain the designation, which will be subject to periodic review. The framework links the status to continued operational performance rather than a permanent classification.
Paradip is the only designated mega port on India's east coast. Its inclusion follows recent operational milestones, including record Capesize vessel berthing and the port's ability to handle vessels with an 18.5 m deep draught. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority remains a major container hub, while Paradip is an important gateway for dry bulk cargo. The inclusion of Mundra alongside the three public-sector ports highlights the scale reached by privately managed infrastructure in India's maritime sector.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.