Jaipur, Nov. 19 -- The state's Jalore district is set to be linked to the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Kutch, officials said on Tuesday, adding that the state government has begun to lay the groundwork for the development of an inland port in the state, opening up the state to a direct maritime link, fostering trade and a shift in the state's logistical landscape. An official release states that the project is being implemented through strong coordination between the Centre and the state, and is expected to usher in a new era for industry, logistics, employment, and waterway connectivity. Last month, a MoU was signed in Mumbai between the Rajasthan River Basin and Water Resources Planning Authority and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Under this agreement, dredging will be carried out across parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan to create a continuous water channel from the Arabian Sea to Jalore. This follows the declaration of the Jawai-Luni-Rann of Kutch river system as National Waterway-48, enabling the development of the inland port. The project will directly connect Rajasthan with Kandla Port, one of India's busiest maritime hubs. Officials said that survey work was currently underway to identify feasible routes, including the Bhavatra-Navlakhi to Kandla Creek stretch (approx. 262 km). As per the MoU, dredging alone is expected to cost over Rs.10,000 crore. Water resources minister Suresh Singh Rawat said that IIT Madras, IWAI, and the state's water resources department were jointly conducting detailed project surveys. These include analyses of year-round water availability, land requirements, and estimated project costs. A technical team from IIT Madras will soon visit Rajasthan for on-ground assessments. Regular coordination between state officials and IWAI is helping fast-track the project, he added. According to a pre-feasibility report by WAPCOS, the project could generate over 50,000 jobs across Rajasthan, Gujarat, and adjoining regions. The inland port is also expected to attract large-scale private investment to the state....