"Prime Minister Modi to Launch Vadhavan Port Project Groundbreaking on August 30"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the Vadhavan Port project on August 30, a significant step in expanding India’s port capacity. The deep-water port, located near Dahanu in Maharashtra's Palghar district, represents a major infrastructure investment of ₹76,220 crore, marking the first major port development in over two decades.

The Vadhavan Port is set to be the second major port operated as a company, following the model established by Kamarajar Port Ltd near Chennai. The port, approved by the Union Cabinet on June 19, will be constructed offshore on reclaimed land, with material sourced from sand borrow pits near Daman, approximately 50 km away.

The port will be developed in two phases by Vadhvan Port Project Ltd, a joint venture between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (74% stake) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (26% stake). It will follow the landlord model, where the port authority oversees regulation while private firms handle operations and cargo.

The Vadhavan Port is designed to handle 23.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually, with facilities including nine container terminals, multi-purpose berths, liquid bulk berths, and Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) berths. It will also feature an 8-lane road and two-line rail connectivity. The port’s deep-water capabilities, with a draft of 20 meters, will accommodate large container ships with capacities exceeding 24,000 TEUs.

This new port is expected to alleviate capacity constraints at the existing Nhava Sheva (JN Port) and support India’s growing economy and trade volumes. By offering a modern deep-draft facility, Vadhavan Port aims to boost India’s global competitiveness and enhance manufacturing and business activities.

Strategically positioned on the west coast, Vadhavan Port is set to become a key hub in the Arabian Sea, catering to traffic from East Africa, India’s west coast, and the Persian Gulf, potentially positioning India among the world’s top 10 container ports.

ET