Tuna Port
{{Short description|Sea port in Maharashtra, India}}
{{for other uses|Tuna (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox port
| name = Tuna Port
| image =
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| pushpin_map = India Gujarat
| country = India
| location = Tuna, Gujarat
| coordinates = {{coord|22.9096|70.1032|display=inline,title}}
| opened = 2015(Coal/LNG Terminal)
2022(Container Terminal){{Cite news |date=13 October 2022 |title=Union Cabinet decision: Kutch to get 2 new port terminals at Rs 5,963 crore |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/union-cabinet-decision-kutch-to-get-2-new-port-terminals-at-rs-5963-crore-8205351/ |access-date=2023-06-02}}
| operated = Adani Kandla Bulk Terminal Private Limited
| owner = Deendayal Port Authority (2015–present)
| type = all weather port
| sizewater =
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| berths = 5
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| containervolume = 14 MMTA
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| blankstatstitle1 = Length of navigational channel
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| blankstatstitle2 = wide of navigational channel
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| blankstatstitle3 = Draft
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Tuna Port is a all-weather working port in Tuna Village, Gujarat, India with capacity of 14 MMTPA. The port is located 15 KM from existing Kandla Port on South West direction, Gujarat.{{Cite news |last=Nair |first=Avinash |date=31 January 2023 |title=UAE firm bags Rs 4,243-crore tender to build container terminal at Tuna-Tekra |work=The Indian Express |location=Ahmedabad |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/uae-firm-bags-rs-4243-crore-tender-to-build-container-terminal-at-tuna-tekra-8413929/ |access-date=2023-06-02}}
History
Tuna Port was developed during mid-eighteenth century by Rao of Cutch State. Fateh Mohammad (1786–1813), who served as regent of Cutch State had further developed the existing facilities at Mandvi, Tuna and Lakhpat ports, when he was appointed as regent during reign of Rao Rayadhan III of Kutch. There is a village by same name Tuna near the port from which Tuna Port got its name.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Jamadars-hazira-Survived-but-neglected/articleshow/1310851.cms Fatehmamad also constructed many forts in Kutch to save the state from invaders]
File:Bombay Prov north 1909.jpg North, shows the Cutch State Railway's narrow gauge line connecting Bhuj with Tuna via Anjar. Note there is no mention of Kandla, as it was developed only after 1930.]]
In year 1900-01 during the reign of Jadeja King Maharao Shri Khengarji Bawa (1875–1942), the first railway lines from Tuna Port to Anjar were laid by narrow gauge line of Cutch State Railway,a railway promoted & owned by Princely State of Cutch. The first train from Tuna Port to Anjar ran in year 1905. The line was in 1908 extended to Bhuj, then the Capital of Princely State of Cutch. This rail-line from Tuna to Anjar, no longer exists. However, there are plans to again revive the railway link again.
Later, during decade of 1930, Tuna Port lost its importance, when Maharao Shri Khengarji III of Kutch, identified the location of present the Kandla Port and developed it as a new port. A new railway line connecting Anjar to Kandla were also laid by Cutch State Railway.
After the partition and independence of India and merger of Cutch into Union of India in 1947, in 1950 Kandla Port was selected by the Government of India to be developed as major port to replace the loss of Karachi, which went to Pakistan. The Kandla Railway Station was later renamed Gandhidham after the new town of same name was developed for the re-settlement of Sindhi refugees, who migrated from Pakistan upon Partition.
Tuna Port is operated by the Kandla Port Trust. The Trust decided to develop Tuna as satellite port in Kutch as to compete with nearby privately owned Mundra Port operated by Adani Group.[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/development-of-tuna-port-crucial-for-kandla-ports-survival/300551/ Development of Tuna Port crucial for Kandla Port’s survival][http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/kandla-port-trust-to-develop-satellite-project/220712/ Kandla Port is now coming up with a project in Tuna Port to be developed as satellite port in Gujarat.] This is the second port after Vadinar Port to be developed by Kandla Port Trust.[http://www.financialexpress.com/news/tuna-port-to-be-upgraded/140487/ Tuna Port, which is under the control of Kandla Port Trust (KPT), will be developed as Satellite Port in Gujarat. This will be the second port, after the Vadinar Port, to be developed by KPT in Gujarat]
The new port was initially built as coal importing terminal and commissioned in 2015 with an annual handling capacity of over 20 million tonnes.{{cite web | last=Fonseca | first=Joseph R. | title=Adani Kandla Terminal Hits 3.5 MT Volume | website=Maritime Logistics Professional | date=26 March 2016 | url=https://www.maritimeprofessional.com/news/adani-kandla-terminal-hits-volume-287119 | access-date=3 June 2023}} Tuna Port was initially operated by the Kandla Port Trust.
Currently the Tuna port is operated by Adani group by Adani Kandla Bulk Terminal Private Limited.
Connectivity
The nearest Airport is Kandla Airport and Rail-head is Anjar and Gandhidham.