India's economic reforms have necessitated the expansion of infrastructure. Commissioning of the Konkan railway along the western coast in January 1998 was a major step towards infrastructure development in India. It provided an impetus for the development of the coastal areas by connecting the major ports like JNPT (Nhava Sheva), Mormugao, and New Mangalore, which directly benefitted on the completion of the Konkan railways. This paper focuses on the infrastructure development of these three ports. The imports and exports from these ports prior to the construction of the Konkan railway are compared with the latest statistics. This paper also analyzes the changes in the volume and composition of traffic at these ports as a consequence of their increased accessibility and infrastructure development.

A port is a key component or a vital system of infrastructure, indispensable to the smooth operations of international trade. Efficient, economical, and expeditious infrastructure is a necessary precondition for the growth of exports. In its role as a transfer point between land and sea transport networks, ports serve as a pivotal element in the circulation of trade flows. They also function as a funnel through which the impulses of modernization and development are channeled along with imports. A port is a visible manifestation of economic activity, a symbol of integrated growth center and an agent of balanced regional development. The upgradation and expansion of ports are vital to strengthen India's position in the world trade and to handle the growing volume of international trade. India is ranked in the list of 17th maritime nations in the world. Ports and harbors in India played a significant role in expanding the economy of the nation during the ancient and medieval period. The proportion of foreign trade in the Indian GDP has increased from 13% to 26% in the past two decades and is the biggest factor driving the growth of India.

Commissioning of the Konkan railway in January 1998 was a major step towards infrastructure development in India. theKonkan railway touches most of the important ports of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka. Prior to it, due to the lack of connectivity, some port towns remained aloof from each other. the Konkan railway is unique in the world because of its length and alignment running more or less parallel to the coast. It connects several major ports and is an influence on their volume and composition of traffic. The completion of the Konkan railway has provided an impetus to the development of coastal areas by connecting ports or providing connectivity to ports on the Western coast

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