The Indian cabinet greenlights a new deep-draft port at Vadhavan, enhancing trade infrastructure.
The union cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the establishment of a major port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharashtra’s Palghar District. This all-weather Greenfield deep draft port will be developed by the Vadhavan Port Project (VPPL), a special purpose vehicle formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with a shareholding of 74 percent and 26 percent respectively. The project, costing ₹76,220 crore, will include core infrastructure, terminals, and commercial facilities developed through public-private partnerships (PPP).
Unmesh Sharad Wagh, JNPA chairman, announced that the first phase of the port will be completed by 2029, with operations starting by December of that year. The port will feature nine container terminals, multiple-purpose berths, and specialised facilities, reclaiming 1,448 hectares from the sea. The facility is expected to handle 298 million metric tons per annum, significantly boosting India’s maritime trade capacity.
Wagh emphasised the strategic importance of Vadhavan, citing existing port congestion and its prime location for industrial clusters in several states. The new port will accommodate mega-size container vessels and enhance connectivity via roads and railways, supporting India’s EXIM trade and economic corridors. The project is set to generate substantial employment opportunities, benefiting around 1.2 million individuals.