On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly conducted the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for the Vadhavan Port, a major infrastructure project valued at Rs 76,200 crore, in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. The event, which took place at 1 PM at the CIDCO Ground, was marked by heavy security due to ongoing protests from local communities concerned about environmental impacts. To ensure the safety of the event, approximately 7,000 police personnel were deployed. The ceremony was attended by several high-profile dignitaries, including Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, as well as Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, S P Singh Baghel, and George Kurian.
Project Overview
The Vadhavan Port is situated around 130 km north of Mumbai, near Dahanu on Maharashtra’s west coast. Described as an all-weather Greenfield deep-draft port on the Arabian Sea, the project received approval from the Union Cabinet in June. Once completed, it is expected to become India’s largest port, with a projected capacity of approximately 298 million tonnes, making it the country’s 13th major port. This ambitious project is a joint venture between Vadhavan Port Project Ltd (VPPL) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with VPPL holding a 74% stake and MMB holding 26%. The port is expected to feature four multi-purpose berths, including facilities for liquid bulk, RO-RO, small crafts, and the Coast Guard, as well as a dedicated railway terminal. The development will involve the reclamation of 1,448 hectares of sea area and the construction of a 10.14 km offshore breakwater and cargo storage zones.
Economic Impact
Aligned with the PM Gati Shakti initiative, the Vadhavan Port is expected to stimulate economic activity in the region and generate employment for approximately 12 lakh people. The first phase of the project is anticipated to be operational by 2029, with full completion expected by 2039.
Controversy, Opposition, and Concerns
Despite its economic promises, the Vadhavan Port has faced significant opposition from local communities. Fishermen and villagers, organized under the Vadhavan Bandar Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti (VBVSS), have argued that the port's construction poses serious environmental risks and threatens their livelihoods. They have expressed fears of displacement following the port's development. Additionally, it has been noted that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests had previously classified Dahanu as an ecologically sensitive area, restricting industrial activities that could harm the environment. The controversy surrounding the Vadhavan Port is not new. Opposition to its construction dates back 25 years. The project was first proposed by an Australian company in 1997, and although the Congress-led UPA I government attempted to develop it, those efforts were halted due to environmental concerns raised by activists and local residents.