Union Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar has reviewed the progress of the ambitious Vadhvan Port project in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, emphasising close coordination among stakeholders and timely execution of the greenfield port development.
Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), conducted a site review at Varor near Dahanu to assess ground-level progress, review ongoing development activities and interact with key stakeholders involved in the project.
During the visit, officials briefed the Secretary on major components of the project, including near-shore reclamation, breakwater construction, external connectivity, utility infrastructure and land acquisition. The review also covered milestones achieved so far and plans for the next phases of development.
Kumar stressed the importance of seamless coordination among all agencies and stakeholders to maintain construction momentum and ensure that the project progresses according to schedule. He also highlighted the need to scale up operations efficiently as various enabling works advance in parallel.
Vadhvan Port is being developed through Vadhvan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a special purpose vehicle formed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB).
The all-weather greenfield port, located near Dahanu in Palghar district, is planned with multiple container terminals along with facilities for handling and storing a wide range of cargo. The project involves extensive land reclamation from the sea, construction of breakwaters and development of supporting infrastructure and connectivity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Vadhvan Port project on August 30, 2024. Once completed, the port is expected to significantly augment India’s cargo-handling capacity and strengthen the country’s position in global maritime trade.
The project is also envisaged to emerge as a major container gateway, with the government projecting Vadhvan among the world’s top 10 container ports upon completion.