Cabinet approves Vadhavan Port project worth over Rs 76,000 crore in Maharashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet on Wednesday approved the development of greenfield deep draft port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra for Rs 76,200 crore. The port will have nine container terminals, each 1000 meters long, four multipurpose berths, including the coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth.

While announcing the decision, Minister Ashiwini Vaishnaw informed that the port will further aid export and import through the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor and International North South Transportation Corridor. Once completed, will be among the top 10 ports of the world, said the Minister.




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"The port will have a capacity of 23 million TU capacity... It will have a capacity of 298 million tonnes... This port is estimated to generate 12 lakh employment," noted Vaishnaw.

Key details of the project:
The mega project will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively, said the official statement. The Vadhavan Port will be developed as an all-weather Greenfield deep draft major port in Vadhavan, Palghar District, Maharashtra.

The total cost of the projects including the land acquisition component stands at Rs 76,220 crore. The said amount will cover costs regarding the development of core infrastructure, terminals and other commercial infrastructure in public-private partnerships (PPP) mode.

The cabinet also approved establishing the road connectivity between the Port and National Highways by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and rail linkage to the existing rail network and the upcoming Dedicated Rail Freight Corridor by Ministry of Railways.

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"The Project, aligned with the objectives of PM Gati Shakti program, will add to further economic activity and also have the potential for direct and indirect employment opportunities for around 10 lakh individuals, thereby contributing to the local economy," the statement said.