Rajasthan to Get Its First Inland Sea Port in Jalore, Connecting to Arabian Sea

Jalore, Rajasthan: Rajasthan is set to take a historic leap in trade and connectivity. After roads and air links, the desert state will soon have a waterway connection as the country’s first inland sea port is planned in Jalore district. A 262-kilometer inland waterway connecting Kandla Port to Jalore is proposed, with an estimated investment of over ₹10,000 crore.

Jalore’s Water Corridor to Transform Rajasthan

The ambitious project will link Jalore directly to the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Kutch, allowing ships to reach Rajasthan’s doorstep and enabling goods to move seamlessly to global markets. Officials say the project has the potential to turn Rajasthan into a logistics powerhouse, giving a significant boost to industry, exports, employment, and investment.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat have championed the initiative, which is being hailed as Rajasthan’s Industrial Revolution 2.0.

Historic MoU Signed at India Maritime Week 2025

During India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, the Rajasthan River Basin & Water Resources Authority and the Indian Inland Waterways Authority (IWAI) signed a landmark MoU. The agreement outlines extensive dredging along Gujarat and Rajasthan to create the 262-kilometer waterway for smooth ship movement. The dredging work alone is expected to cost over ₹10,000 crore.

Direct Connection to Kandla Port – Boost for International Trade

Jalore’s inland port will connect directly to Kandla Port, enabling heavy containers to travel by waterway instead of relying on trucks for days. Farmers and industries in Rajasthan will gain a direct export route, reducing pressure on roads and railways while potentially lowering transport costs by 30–40%. The Bhavatra–Navalkhi–Kandla Creek route has been identified as the most suitable corridor.

High-Tech Survey by IIT Madras

Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat said that IIT Madras, the National Technology for Ports & Waterways, and Rajasthan’s Water Resources Department are preparing a detailed DPR. The survey will assess year-round water availability, land acquisition, cost, technical structures, and field surveys. IIT Madras experts are expected to visit Rajasthan soon.

Jalore to Become Rajasthan’s ‘Logistics Capital’

The Looney-Jawai region is already a major trade hub for textiles, stone, agricultural products, oilseeds, and nearby refinery projects. With the sea route, heavy cargo transport will become easier, industrial clusters will expand, and port services, cold storage, and warehousing will develop. The project is expected to attract large-scale investments, potentially transforming the region into Rajasthan’s industrial power corridor.

Employment and Economic Boost

According to WAPCOS’s pre-feasibility report, the project will generate over 50,000 jobs in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and neighboring areas. The inland port will provide new opportunities for youth, facilitate exports for industries, and reduce costs for traders—all from a single transformative project.

Rajasthan, long known as the land of deserts and forts, is now poised to emerge as a maritime hub, marking a historic shift in the state’s economic trajectory.