Tuna Port

Tuna Port (Gujarati: તુણા બંદર) is a port-cum-town in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India.

History

Tuna Port was developed during mid-eighteenth century by Kingdom of Kutch, later known as Princely State of Cutch.

Economy of the Kingdom of Kutch, largely depended on sea-trade and the kingdom had many ports such as Mundra, Mandvi, Tuna, Lakhpat, Jakhau, Sandhan, Sindri on its coast-line. The various Kutchi community were known for their trades with Muscat, Mombasa, Mzizima, Zanzibar, and others, and also for their shipbuilding skills.

Fateh Mohammad (1786–1813), a shepherd-turned-king, had further developed the existing facilities at Mandvi, Tuna and Lakhpat ports, when Rao Raydhanji III of Kutch was his prime minister. There is a village by same name Tuna near the port from which Tuna Port got its name.[1]

The 1909 Map of Bombay Presidency North, shows the Cutch State Railway's narrow gauge line connecting Bhuj with Tuna. 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 Princely State 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.

Present Status

At present Tuna Port is run and managed by Kandla Port Trust. Kandla Port Trust (KPT) is now coming up with a project in Tuna Port to be developed as satellite port in Kutch, Gujarat. The Development of Tuna Port is crucial for Kandla Port's survival in face stiff competition from the newly developed privately owned Mundra Port run by Adani Group.[2][3] This is the second port after Vadinar Port to be developed by Kandla Port Trust.[4]

The nearest Airport is Kandla Airport and Rail-head is Gandhidham.

Coordinates: 23°01′00″N 70°10′00″E / 23.01667°N 70.16667°E

References

  1. ↑ Fatehmamad also constructed many forts in Kutch to save the state from invaders
  2. ↑ Development of Tuna Port crucial for Kandla Port’s survival
  3. ↑ Kandla Port is now coming up with a project in Tuna Port to be developed as satellite port in Gujarat.
  4. ↑ 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