Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several development projects in Palghar, Maharashtra. Among these, the foundation stone for Vadhvan Port, a major initiative with an estimated cost of around INR 76,000 crore, was laid. Additionally, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 218 fisheries projects valued at approximately INR 1,560 crore, according to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
As part of these developments, Modi launched the national rollout of a vessel communication and support system, a project costing around INR 360 crore. He also laid the foundation stone for key fishery infrastructure projects, which include the development, upgrading, and modernization of fishing harbors, fish landing centers, and the construction of fish markets. Furthermore, he distributed transponder sets and Kisan credit cards to fishermen beneficiaries.
Highlighting the significance of Vadhvan Port, Modi stated that it would become India’s largest container port and one of the world’s deep-water ports, marking it as a crucial hub for trade and industrial development in Maharashtra and the country. He emphasized the transformative impact the port would have on the region’s economy due to its strategic railway and highway connectivity, linking it to the dedicated Western Freight Corridor and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. “Cargo will flow in and out of the region year-round, bringing significant benefits to the people of Maharashtra,” he added.
Located near Dahanu town in Palghar district, Vadhvan Port will be among India’s largest deep-water ports, providing direct access to international shipping routes and reducing transit times and costs. The port will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, deep berths, efficient cargo handling facilities, and modern management systems, the release noted.
The port, an all-weather greenfield deep draft major facility, will be developed by the Vadhavan Port Project (VPPL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed through a partnership between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively.
