The Narendra Modi government finally green-signalled the nearly six-decade-old Vadhavan Port Project in Palghar, with approval for a whopping Rs. 76,200 crore project cost. Apart from being a landmark project for Maharashtra, the Vadhavan Port, once fully completed, will be among the top ten largest ports in the world. The execution of the entire project will be carried out in two phases, with the first phase slated for completion by 2029. The Deputy Chief Minister of the state, Devendra Fadnavis, speaking in this context, opined that Vadhavan Port will be crucial for the development of India and Maharashtra for the next twenty years.
Vadhavan port in maharashtra
The proposal for developing a deep-sea port at Vadhavan in Dahanu taluka in Palghar district was made nearly 60 years ago, but there was no progress to it for a long time beyond the level of discussions until 1998, when the then Maharashtra government awarded the Australian company P&O the contract to set up a port in Vadhavan. However, the project had to be abandoned due to steep protests by the Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority, citing various reasons. The revival of the Vadhavan Port project is driven by the Modi government’s policy to prioritize sustainable development without compromising the environment. Even this time also, despite Cener’s urge, the proposal was held up for 4 years for not getting permission from the environment protection authority in Dahanu and the lack of initiatives from the MVA government. Due to the MVA government’s deliberate delaying tactic, the project didn’t make any progress, resulting in an increase in the project cost from 65 thousand crore to 78 thousand crore in 4 years. After coming back to power in 2022 as the Dy. CM of the state, Devendra Fadnavis took a series of initiatives to clear all obstacles, obtaining various no-objection certificates from the CRZ and the Union Ministry, as well as the necessary permits from the Environment Department. So, this pivotal project is finally happening in the state after 60 years, thanks to the Modi-Fadnavis double-engine dispensation. The Vadhan port, located only 150 kilometers from Mumbai, will also be well connected with the rest of the country through rail and roads and generate huge employment opportunities.
Vadhavan Port Project Status and Timeline
- Techno Economic Feasibility Report Prepared – 7 February 2016
- MoU between JNPT and Maharashtra Maritime Board – 14 April 2016
- Detailed Project Report of Vadhavan Port Prepared – 1 January 2018
- Inclusion of Container Port in DPR Report – September 2019
- Approval of Vadhavan Port by Automatic Regulation Board – June 2019
- Preliminary Approval as Major Port in India – 13 February 2020
- Notification Published as Major Port – 19 February 2020
- Permission for Vadhavan Port from Dahanu Taluka Environmental Protection Authority – 31 July 2023
- Central Government Approval for Vadhavan Port – 20 June 2024
Vadhavan Port (Vadhavan Port Project) will be able to dock the ultra-large freight containers to make Palghar a busy station in the global supply chain. Countries around the world are looking to diversify their supply chains away from China. The Vadhavan port, which will be a part of the Center’s Sagarmala projects, will offer a good alternative for this cause. The Vadhan Port is being developed by Maharashtra Maritime and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority. This port will be developed on the lines of the landlord model. This port will give a big boost to the country’s imports and exports. In the future, about 90 percent of the containers will be transported through Vadhan Port. The natural depth of this port is 20 meters, which is more than all the ports in the country. Also, this project will be connected to the National Highway Road Network and the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) rail network. The annual container handling capacity of this port will be 23 million TEUs and the cargo handling capacity will be 254 million tons. After opening of the full capacity of the port, the Vadhan Port, which will work as a green fuel hub, will be ranked among the top ten ports in the world.
A state-of-the-art fishing hub will be created
The Vadhavan Port Project will not leave a single fishing family in Palghar in the lurch. It is a propaganda that this project will affect the fishermen’s livelihood. But on the contrary, the state government is going to build a state-of-the-art fishing hub for fishermen. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took the lead and discussed with the locals of Palghar about their problems before coming up with the idea of this fishing hub. Due to this, the number of people opposing this project was reduced, leaving the handful of people who were doing politics. More than the environment and fishermen’s interests, this project was being opposed due to the politics played by some people. As for the likely impact of the project on various marine and terrestrial ecosystems and local flora and fauna are concerned, the government has promised to take appropriate measures besides dealing with the air, noise, and water pollutions, caused by the project.
Vadhan Port will determine the development of the next 20 years
The Maharashtra government is focused on multiplying the state’s business potentials by creating a startup ecosystem and encouraging new innovations. The Vadhavan Port Project directly benefits 32 types of industries to create a large number of jobs. Currently, JNPT Port in Navi Mumbai area handles 70 percent of the traffic of goods coming by ship. However, it’s capacity is decreasing, and moreover, JNPT can’t dock large and extra-large containers due to not having the adequate depth of water. Once Vadhan Port is ready, India’s capacity will be improved, and we will become a part of the global supply chain. So far, JNPT Port has played a major role in the field of import and export in the last 30-40 years. Now Vadhan Port is going to fill that gap. There is a natural depth of about 20 meters near the Vadhan coast. Therefore, it will be possible to handle large ships at this port. 90 percent of India’s import and export goods come and go by sea. Therefore, this port will determine the development of the next 20 years.
Development of Vadhavan Port under the Sagarmala Project
Under the Centre’s Sagarmala Project, ports are being developed at Vizhinjam in Kerala, Colachel in Tamil Nadu, Tadadi in Karnataka, Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Sagar Island in West Bengal and Vadhavan in Maharashtra. Vadhavan Port has a natural depth of 20 meters, which is said to be the highest in India. This high depth makes it possible for large ships to dock here. The depth of JNPT Port is 11 meters, which bars large ships from coming to Mumbai. So, currently, the cargo ships coming to India have to first unload their goods in Colombo or Singapore and then come to India with the help of small ships. This problem will no longer be there with the construction of Vadhavan Port.
Vadhavan Port will change the picture of Palghar district!
Vadhavan Port (Vadhavan Port Project) will change the economy of a backward district like Palghar. This project will increase the rail and road connectivity of Palghar, which will also have bullet trains pass through it. The Mumbai-Versova Sea Link is further expanding from Versova to Uttan, Uttan to Virar, and Virar to Palghar. Therefore, Palghar, which was known as the most backward area a few years ago, is going to be a very prosperous place in this region. This is how sustainable development brings changes to an area and the surrounding region. Seizing this opportunity, Devendra Fadnavis launched a wave of developmental works from the posts of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.
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