Kandla, JNPA, Mundra, Paradip notified as mega ports - The HinduUpdated - September 29, 2026 12:12 pm IST - ChennaiThe Centre has notified Deendayal (Kandla), Jawaharlal Nehru (Nhava Sheva), Paradip and Mundra ports as mega ports under the Indian Ports Act, 2025. The notification was issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on September 25, 2026, and came into force on its publication in the Gazette of India.Deendayal, Jawaharlal Nehru and Paradip are major ports. Mundra, operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, is a port other than a major port. The major ports were notified under Section 73(2) of the Act and Mundra under Section 73(3).The notification states that the four ports satisfy the criteria for classification as a mega port. These criteria were notified on July 30, 2026 in consultation with State governments.Under the criteria, a port is eligible to be declared a mega port if it handled 150 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo in the preceding financial year in the case of a bulk port, or 7.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the case of a container port. Where a port handles both container and bulk cargo, container volumes are to be converted to tonnes using the conversion method adopted by the port.Cargo throughput includes all export-import and coastal cargo, whether bulk, break-bulk, liquid, dry or containerised. It is to be computed in a manner that avoids double counting of transhipped cargo as far as practicable.A port may be declared a mega port within 90 days of meeting the criteria. The classification is valid for five years, even if the port’s cargo throughput falls below the threshold during that period. The status will be reviewed after the five years are completed.A mega port retains its status as a major port or a non-major port and continues to be governed by the laws that apply to it.Paradip Port handled 156.45 MMT of cargo in 2025-26, its highest ever. It is the only mega port on the east coast.India has 12 major ports and over 200 non-major ports.Published - September 26, 2026 10:59 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }