The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of a major port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharashtra. This ambitious project, with an estimated cost of Rs 76,220 crore, aims to establish a greenfield, deep-draft port that will rank among the top 10 ports globally.
The Vadhavan Port will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), holding 74% and 26% shares, respectively. Located in Palghar district, this all-weather port will be integral to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, highlighted that the port will be developed through a joint venture between JNPA and MMB. He emphasised its potential to become one of the world's top 10 ports.
The project encompasses a comprehensive infrastructure plan, including land acquisition. The total project cost of Rs 76,220 crore covers the development of core infrastructure, terminals, and commercial facilities under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The port will feature nine container terminals, each 1,000 meters long, four multipurpose berths, including a coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved establishing road and rail connectivity to the port. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will ensure road links to national highways, while the Railways Ministry will facilitate rail connections to the existing network and the upcoming Dedicated Rail Freight Corridor.
The port's development includes reclaiming 1,448 hectares of land from the sea and constructing a 10.14 km offshore breakwater. This infrastructure will create a cumulative capacity of 298 million metric tonnes (MMT) per year, including approximately 23.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalents) of container handling capacity.
The Vadhavan Port will significantly enhance EXIM trade flows through the IMEEC and the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC). The project's world-class maritime terminal facilities are designed to promote PPPs and leverage modern technologies.
This approach aims to create state-of-the-art terminals capable of handling mainline mega vessels on international shipping routes connecting the Far East, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
Aligned with the objectives of the PM Gati Shakti programme, the Vadhavan Port project is expected to boost economic activity and create significant employment opportunities. It has the potential to generate direct and indirect employment for around 10 lakh individuals, contributing substantially to the local economy.
Upon completion, the Vadhavan Port will not only enhance India's maritime infrastructure but also position itself as a key player in global trade, reflecting the nation's growing economic ambitions and strategic importance in international logistics.
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