Minor Ports and Regional Development

India is one of the biggest peninsulas in the world with a coastline spanning 7516.6 kms. There are nine coastal states in the country, 13 major ports and 187 notified minor and intermediate ports. These ports handle 70% of the total Indian Trade. Considering the significance of ports in trade sector it is important that the multifaceted structure of the port system in India is analysed and the influence that these ports have on the regional development of their hinterlands is systematically assessed. It is also seen that the evolution of the regional economy strongly affects the performance of ports as they are part and parcel of a overall regional economy. Thus the aim of this study was to analyse the economic and spatial implications of development of minor ports on their hinterland. This book attempt to do this through a synoptic study of the minor port sector in Gujarat with a case study of Pipavav, the oldest private port in the state.