1. Port Overview

  1. Okha, India

  3. Okha is a small coastal town in Devbhoomi Dwarka district of Gujarat state in India. It has a sea port. Dwarka situated some 20 km south and Bet Dwarka island situated 3 km across a small creek from Okha port are a major Hindu pilgrimage sites due the temple dedicated to Krishna.

    Okha is situated on a narrow strip of land that projects into sea. It is surrounded by sea on three sides and has a sandy beach on Arabian Sea coast. It has a sea port on the lee side. Bet Dwarka lies on the other side of a small creek from Okha port.

    Okha is a busy and historical port in Gujarat strategically located. Historically it was the first port on west coast of India that a ship travelling along the coast from Arabia encountered. Indian Navy, Indian Coastguard, Indian Customs and Gujarat marine police have their operational command centre in Okha. Okha port imports mainly lignite from the Indonesia for the thermal power stations of Gujarat and for soda ash plant of Tata Chemicals. Okha has an automobile-assembly plant.

    Fishing and salt processing are also industries. One of the major companies in Okha is Tata Chemicals at Mithapur, about 10 km away towards Dwarka city.

    Okha is connected by railway and bus to major cities of Gujarat and the rest of India.

    About 1.5 million Hindu devotees visit Bet Dwarka, one of the major temple of Krishna. Bet Dwarka is a small island reached by ferry service from Okha. The first 2 km long sea bridge of Gujarat is proposed between Okha and Bet Dwarka. The construction work will start in early 2015 and will be completed by early 2016.

    Okha is very well known among Marine Lovers. There are hundreds of small islands in the surrounding area and natural coral reefs. Dolphins are very easy to locate in their natural habitat. Dwarka city is about 30 km from Okha.

    The region is tropical and temperatures are warm to hot. The wet period (Monsoon) is from June to September and cruises do not generally operate in this period. Most cruises pass through here between September and May.

    Population: 18,855 (2001)
    Language: Official: Gujarati, Hindi
    Currency: Indian Rupee
    Time zone: IST (UTC+5:30)