The Vadhavan Port, projected to rank among the world’s top ten ports upon its completion, is set to be a state-of-the-art Greenfield deep-draft port located off the Arabian Sea. Situated approximately 140 kilometers from Mumbai, along the Maharashtra-Gujarat border, the port, also referred to as Wadhawan, has been a long-anticipated development.
The establishment of Wadhwan Port has faced numerous delays over the decades, primarily due to opposition from local communities, farmers, fisherfolk, and environmentalists. The entire project, encompassing land acquisition and construction, is estimated to cost around Rs 76,220 crore. The development will be spearheaded by Vadhavan Port Project Ltd (VPPL), a special purpose vehicle formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), holding 74% and 26% stakes respectively.
This ambitious project will involve the creation of essential infrastructure, including terminals and other commercial facilities, through public-private partnerships (PPP). Key aspects of the development include enhancing road connectivity to national highways managed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, as well as establishing rail links to the existing network and the upcoming Dedicated Rail Freight Corridor by the Ministry of Railways.
The port will feature nine container terminals, each stretching 1,000 meters, alongside four multipurpose berths, four Liquid Cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth. The scope of the project includes reclaiming 1,448 hectares of sea area and constructing 10.14 kilometers of offshore breakwater and storage zones. With a total capacity of 298 million metric tons per year and the ability to handle around 23.2 million TEUs of containers, the port will significantly bolster EXIM trade through the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC).
The port’s advanced maritime terminal facilities will emphasize PPP models and modern technologies, designed to accommodate mega vessels operating on international routes connecting the Far East, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. In alignment with the PM Gati Shakti program, the project is expected to stimulate economic growth and generate around 12 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities, benefiting the local economy.
The official function to mark the project’s progress will be attended by prominent figures, including Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, and Union Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying SP Singh Baghel and George Kurian. The event is scheduled to take place at the CIDCO Ground in Palghar.
