India aims to be among the top five ship-building countries and significantly increase the port-handling capability by building new mega ports, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in Mumbai on Monday (October 27, 2025), adding that the proposed Great Nicobar project will boost the country’s maritime global trade multiple times.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the fourth edition of the India Maritime Week 2025.

The $5-billion Great Nicobar infrastructure project, which will include a power plant, transshipment port and airport, has been criticised by activists and local population, citing environmental concerns and violation of forest rights.

Strategic location

He said that the government plans to increase the country’s port handling capacity to 10,000 million tonnes per annum (

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