₹472 Crore ROB Approved at Tuna-Tekra to Boost Port Connectivity and Cargo Movement

In a major push to strengthen India's maritime logistics and port connectivity, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has approved the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) along with associated infrastructure at Tuna-Tekra, at an estimated cost of ₹472 crore.

The project is expected to significantly enhance cargo evacuation capacity, reduce congestion, and improve supply chain efficiency in one of India's emerging port hubs.

Strategic Link for Mega Port Infrastructure

The ROB will serve as a critical connectivity corridor for major upcoming port assets at Tuna-Tekra, including:

• Mega Container Terminal with a capacity of 2.19 million TEUs

• Multipurpose Cargo Berth with a capacity of 18.33 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA)

Officials said the bridge will act as the primary evacuation artery, ensuring smooth movement of cargo from port terminals to hinterland transport networks.

Comprehensive Engineering and Long-Term Maintenance

The project includes:

• Construction of viaduct structures

• A bridge over a creek

• Development of associated road infrastructure

• 10-year maintenance provision to ensure durability and operational efficiency

This integrated approach is aimed at delivering resilient, high-capacity infrastructure aligned with future traffic demands.

Addressing Bottlenecks and Reducing Turnaround Time

Once operational, the ROB is expected to:

• Decongest existing rail-road crossings

• Enable seamless movement of heavy-duty port traffic

• Reduce logistics turnaround time

• Improve overall supply chain efficiency

The project is particularly crucial in preventing bottlenecks as cargo volumes increase with the commissioning of new terminals.

Synchronised with Port Development Timeline

The infrastructure rollout is being closely aligned with the development of the Tuna-Tekra Container Terminal, which is currently at 45% physical progress.

This synchronisation ensures that supporting connectivity infrastructure is ready alongside port operations, avoiding delays in cargo handling capacity expansion.

Boost to Port-Led Development Vision

Highlighting the broader impact, Minister Sonowal said:

"India's maritime sector is undergoing a transformational shift… This project will strengthen port-led development, improve logistics efficiency, and support India's emergence as a global maritime powerhouse."

The proposal had earlier received approval from the Delegated Investment Board (DIB) chaired by the Secretary, MoPSW.

Aligned with Maritime India Vision 2030

The project forms part of the government's long-term maritime strategy under:

• Maritime India Vision 2030

• Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

These frameworks aim to:

• Expand port capacity

• Improve multimodal connectivity

• Enhance India's competitiveness in global trade

Strengthening India's Logistics Backbone

With India targeting a reduction in logistics costs and faster cargo movement, projects like the Tuna-Tekra ROB are seen as critical enablers of trade efficiency and industrial growth.

The initiative underscores the government's focus on building integrated, future-ready infrastructure to support rising trade volumes and position India as a key player in global maritime logistics.