‘Vadhavan port will be a game changer for India’

Vadhavan greenfield port in Maharashtra to double India's container trade, projected to be a top 10 global port by 2034.

The Vadhavan greenfield port, which is under construction near Dahanu in Maharashtra, will double India’s container trade from the current levels upon completion. Scheduled to be finished by 2034, it is projected to be among the top 10 ports in the world, according to Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairman of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). He termed the port a “game changer” for the country and the region.

“This will be world’s top 10 port once both the phases are completed in 2034. By 2029, four terminals will be completed and five terminals will be added by 2034. This will double India’s container capacity, from what is there today,” Mr. Wagh told The Hindu recently. While the project conceptualisation was there since 1991-92, it has not made progress. But it will be a reality soon, he stated.

The project with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore is being constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a joint venture between JNPA and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively.

Talking of the significance of the port, for which the foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 30, Mr. Wagh said the western side and northern side of the country represent 75% of EXIM (export-import) container trade.

Noting that other regions have other ports and do not require that much capacity for the present and future, he said Mundra port and JNP do 65% EXIM trade and both are almost full, running at 90% capacity. “India desperately needs another port, otherwise it will not take care of the growing demand of the EXIM trade. This port will take care of that. We have all clearances in place,” he added.

The National Highways Authority is executing some of the peripheral works currently. Apart from that, nothing is required outside, as everything is inside the sea, 10 km offshore. “There is no displacement, no flooding, no land acquisition for the port, no environmental damage as not a single mangrove is being touched,” Mr. Wagh said.

This is a deep draught port with 20m depth. The largest vessel ever produced in the world will call on this port and that will save 25% or $100 because currently, the vessel goes to ports in Jebel Ali, Colombo, and Singapore, and then cargo is shipped onwards by smaller vessels. That extra money will not have to be shelled, he said. Further, the new port will also act as a transshipment port for other neighbouring countries, he added.