Foundation stone laid for Vadhavan port project

A significant milestone was reached today as the foundation stone was laid for the Vadhavan port project, which aims to become the largest port in India. Located near Dahanu on the western coast of Maharashtra, about 130 kilometres north of Mumbai, this ₹762 billion (US$9.14 billion) project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Approved by the Union Cabinet in June, the port is anticipated to be among the top 10 globally. Once completed, the Vadhavan port will have a natural draft of 20 metres, enabling it to accommodate the world’s largest vessels and serve as a critical trade link between India, West Asia, and Europe.

Two phases

The project is planned in two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by 2029 and the second by 2039. Plans also include connecting the port to major highways and a dedicated freight railway corridor.

According to the Union Cabinet, the proposed port will feature extensive infrastructure, including nine container terminals, each 1,000 metres long, four multipurpose berths, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a dedicated Coast Guard berth.

The development is being managed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited, a joint venture between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with respective shareholdings of 74% and 26%.

The project is envisaged as a public-private partnership, with state funding of US$5 billion for the core infrastructure, while private sector investors are expected to invest the remaining US$4 billion to develop container, multi-purpose, Ro-Ro, and liquid bulk facilities.

The port development has already attracted interest from major terminal developers, including DP World, PSA, APM Terminals, and CMA CGM.

Read more: JNPA seeks bids for Vadhvan land reclamation

Fragile zone

Despite the promise of economic growth, the Vadhavan port project has faced opposition from local communities and environmental groups. The region has been designated an ecologically fragile zone by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, and there are concerns that the port’s development could negatively impact local fishing, farming, and the environment.

Opponents, led by the Vadhavan Bandar Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, have raised concerns about the port’s location 6.5 kilometres offshore and the reclamation of 4,000 acres of land, which could affect water currents, rainfall, and fish breeding patterns. They have filed petitions in the Supreme Court to challenge the project.

In response, Unmesh Wagh, chairperson of JNPA, has reassured that the port will be developed as an environmentally friendly project with measures to protect the local ecosystem. He also highlighted the port’s significance for India’s economic ambitions, particularly its aim to become a developed country by 2047.

🚨 India’s biggest port, Vadhvan Port in Maharashtra.This port will play crucial role in development of India.🇮🇳🔥 pic.twitter.com/CKXt7mqPEQ

— Future of India (@FutureofIndia27) August 31, 2024