The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved the construction of a major port at Wadhavan near Dahanu in Maharashtra. The project will be developed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) holding 74% and 26% stake respectively. Wadhavan Port will be developed as a Greenfield deep sea port at Wadhavan in Palghar district, Maharashtra.
The total cost of the project, including Acquer’s acquisition portion, is 76,220 Crore. This will include the development of infrastructure, terminals and other commercial infrastructure in the mode of public-private partnership (PPP). The Cabinet also approved road connectivity between the Port and National Highways by the Ministry of Transport and Highways and rail connectivity with the existing rail network and future rail transport corridors by the Ministry of Railways.
The port will have four multi-purpose berths including nine container terminals of 1,000 meters each, a coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth and a Coast Guard berth. The project involves the development of 1,448 hectares of offshore land and the construction of 10.14 km of seawater and container/cargo storage facilities. The project has a capacity of 298 million metric tons (MMT) per year, including approximately 23.2 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent) of container handling capacity.
The facility created will also facilitate EXIM trade flow through IMEEC (India Middle East European Economic Corridor) and INSTC (International North South Transport Corridor). World-class marine terminal facilities develop Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and develop efficiency and modern technology to create a modern terminal capable of handling major mega-ships operating on the international shipping route between the Far East and Europe. Middle East, Africa and America. Once completed, Wadhavan Port will be one of the top ten ports in the world.
In line with the objectives of the Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti programme, the project will contribute to further economic activity and create direct and indirect employment opportunities for around 12 million people, thus contributing to the local economy.
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