PM Modi to lay foundation of Vadhavan port in Maharashtra's Palghar amid protests

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for one of India’s largest deep-water ports in Maharashtra's Palghar on Aug 30 amid protests by environmentalists, farmers, and fishermen who claim the port will damage the environment and their livelihoods.

Situated near Dahanu town in Palghar district, Vadhavan Port will be Maharashtra's third major port along with the Mumbai Port and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

The project, costing ₹76,000 crore, aims to enhance international shipping connectivity, cutting down transit times and costs. The port, described as the "ultimate shipping powerhouse," will feature advanced technology and infrastructure, including nine 1,000-meter container terminals, multipurpose and liquid cargo berths, Ro-Ro berths, and a dedicated Coast Guard berth.

Additionally, it will offer modern cargo handling and port management systems.

PM Modi's office stated in a statement that they expect the port to create significant employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses, and contribute to the overall economic development of the region.

“The Vadhavan Port project incorporates sustainable development practices, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and adhering to stringent ecological standards,” it added.

“Once operational, the port will enhance India's maritime connectivity and further strengthen its position as a global trade hub,” the statement said.

MyGov, the Center's citizen engagement platform, states that Vadhavan Port is set to rank among the top 10 ports in the world.

"Vadhavan Port will serve as India's new gateway to global trade, creating a cumulative capacity of 298 MMT per annum," MyGov said.

The Vadhavan Port is set to become a major hub port in the Arabian Sea, establishing trade routes with the Far East, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and America.

However, the project faces opposition from environmentalists, farmers, and fishermen who plan to protest in Palghar district.

The port is being developed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited, a joint venture between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), which holds a 74% stake, and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with 26%. The first phase is expected to be completed by 2029, with the entire project set to conclude by 2039.

JNPA chairperson Unmesh Wagh has outlined plans for extensive connectivity, including a 32-kilometer road linking the port to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, a 22-kilometer road to the Mumbai-Vadodara Highway, and a 12-kilometer railway line connecting to the dedicated railway freight corridor.

Despite these developments, local protests persist. The Vadhavan Bandar Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti (VBVSS), a coalition of local villagers and fishermen, argues that the port will harm the environment and their livelihoods.

They highlight that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has designated Dahanu as an ecologically sensitive zone, with restrictions on industrial activities that could damage the environment.

“There will be immense damage to the fishing industry, farming, and environment,” said Narayan Patil from the VBVSS, which has been protesting against the port for 27 years.

“The port will be located 6.5 km in the sea. They will reclaim 4,000 acres of land. It will affect water currents, the rains, and the breeding of fish. To protect the port, they will also construct a breakwater. Our fishing will be destroyed,” he added.

Patil said that the plan to construct the port moved ahead when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government came to power.

“It was taken to the drawing board in 2015. Environmental permissions were finally granted in 2024, a little before the elections,” said Patil.

The VBVSS has submitted two petitions to the Supreme Court challenging the port's construction.

Rahul Asthana, former chairperson of Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA), supports the project, noting that Vadhavan will complement the Mumbai Port and JNPA. He believes that since Mumbai Port is at capacity and JNPA has limited expansion potential, Vadhavan will cater to deep-draft ships.

He argues that while Mumbai Port will continue handling liquefied petroleum and chemicals for local consumption, JNPA will maintain its role in container handling.

Amitabh Kumar, a retired director general of shipping at the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, predicts that Vadhavan might eventually replace JNPA as the primary container terminal or cause JNPA to shift to serving smaller ships.

“Vadhavan will be the biggest natural port in the country. All motherships can easily dock in Vadhavan without dredging. Ships are getting bigger, and JNPA has limitations,” he said.

“Mumbai Port is not a container port, and it is now dealing with petroleum, cars, and a terminal for cruise liners. In the future, cruise liners will flourish, and it will cater to the petroleum needs of the area,” he added.