Gandhinagar: As part of India’s ambitious plan to develop shipbuilding clusters across five coastal states, Gujarat has earmarked around 2,000 acres of land in Kandla, with additional locations under review, a news report said.

This initiative is part of a larger national project spanning Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, covering nearly 15,000 acres and attracting an estimated investment of ₹1.5 lakh crore.

As per the report, Gujarat is considering drafting a new shipbuilding policy to encourage private sector participation and upgrade existing facilities. Beyond the proposed cluster in Kandla, the state government is identifying other land parcels to be handed over to private players for developing modern shipyards.

Porbandar and Kutch have been shortlisted as key districts for setting up new ports and shipbuilding clusters, while Bhavnagar, Amreli, and Valsad are also being considered for shipyard projects, BusinessLine reported.

Nationally, Maharashtra leads in terms of identified land, with nearly 5,800 acres spread across Dighi, Jaigad, Vijaydurg, and Bankot. In Tamil Nadu, around 3,000 acres near Tuticorin (Thoothukudi) have been marked for a cluster with an added emphasis on green vessel manufacturing.

In Andhra Pradesh, approximately 3,000 acres have been initially identified, with further plans to expand by another 2,500 acres based on demand. Meanwhile, Odisha has also allocated land, reinforcing the Centre’s vision to transform India into a competitive global hub for shipbuilding. DeshGujarat