town, northwestern Gujarat (Gujarāt) state, west-central India. It is a port on the Gulf of Kachchh (Kachchh, Gulf of) (Kutch) of the Arabian Sea. The port was opened on Kandla's natural deepwater harbour in the 1930s. Designed to serve a hinterland that is considerably larger than Gujarat state, the port has continued to be improved. Kandla port now has dry cargo berths that can accommodate up to 10 ships at a time; it also has berths for tankers. Petroleum, iron and steel machinery, and chemicals are Kandla's major imports; the port also handles grains, textiles, and salt. Kandla is served by a major highway, a railway, and an airport. Pop. (2001) 73,774.