Dredging Corporation of India Ltd. (DCIL)
Context: Ahead of entering Golden Jubilee Year next year, the Dredging Corporation of India Ltd. (DCIL) is now on a path to make itself futureready with a slew of initiatives to augment its capacity and to go green in operations.
Overview
Established: 1976
Headquarters: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Established to provide dredging services to the Major Ports in India.
Ownership: Operates under a consortium of 4 major ports –
Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA)
Paradip Port Authority (PPA)
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)
Deendayal Port Authority (DPA)
Under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW)
India’s top dredging company in terms of capacity and capability.
Dredging — Importance
Essential for maintaining and deepening navigational channels in ports.
Supports port efficiency, inland waterways, beach nourishment, and reclamation.
Directly linked to maritime trade and coastal infrastructure.
Investment & Modernisation (Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision)
Component | Details |
Total Investment | ₹4,000 crore (largest ever for DCIL) |
Announced under | Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (by PM Narendra Modi) |
Objective | To make DCIL one of the Top 5 Dredging Companies globally |
Goals | Capacity augmentation • Green operations • Technological upgradation • Global competitiveness |
Accounts for ≈55% of India’s total dredging needs (~110–120 million m³/year).
Green & Sustainable Focus
Adoption of eco-friendly dredging technologies.
Focus on energy-efficient equipment and reduced emissions.
Part of India’s “Maritime Green Transition” goals.
Strategic Objectives
Enhance operational efficiency and technological capability.
Strengthen presence in capital dredging, maintenance dredging, and inland waterways.
Support India’s Sagarmala and Maritime India Vision 2030 initiatives.
Position DCIL as a global dredging leader.
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to the Dredging Corporation of India Ltd. (DCIL), consider the following statements:
It operates under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
It is jointly owned by four major port authorities.
It is primarily engaged in inland water dredging only.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: DCIL undertakes both port and inland dredging, not just inland dredging.
