Port workers in Gujarat recently staged a protest against the state government's move to privatise four ports.They claimed the move would affect more than 10,000 families, who depend on the ports for their livelihood. In a statement, the Union of Gujarat Port and Lok Karamchari Mahasangh has warned of a state-wide strike unless the state government revokes its decision.

Of late, the state maritime boards of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Gujarat had drawn up plans to involve private-sector players in both the development and management of minor ports on a build-own-operate-transfer (boot) model for a period of 30 years. Under the plan, the Gujarat Maritime Board had invited expression of interest for developing ports at Navlakhi, Okha, Magdala and Bhavnagar. Gujarat, with around 43 ports, has identified 10 greenfield sites for development as boot models.