PM Approves ₹76,220 cr Major Port at Vadhavan, Maharashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the development of a major port at Vadhavan near Dahanu, Maharashtra. The Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a special purpose vehicle formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), will construct the port. JNPA will hold a 74% stake, while MMB will hold 26%.

The project, costing ₹76,220 crore, includes land acquisition and development of core infrastructure, terminals, and commercial infrastructure through public-private partnerships (PPP). The port will be an all-weather deep draft port in Palghar District, Maharashtra.

The project features nine container terminals, four multipurpose berths, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth. It involves reclaiming 1,448 hectares of the sea, constructing a 10.14 km offshore breakwater, and creating container/cargo storage areas. The port will have a capacity of 298 million metric tons per annum, including 23.2 million TEUs of container handling capacity.

Connectivity will be enhanced through road links to national highways and rail links to existing networks and the upcoming Dedicated Rail Freight Corridor. The port will support EXIM trade through the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and the International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC).

Aligned with the PM Gati Shakti program, the project is expected to generate around 1.2 million direct and indirect employment opportunities, boosting the local economy. Upon completion, Vadhavan Port will rank among the world's top ten ports.