MUMBAI: Shri Vijay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Government of India, visited the Vadhvan Port project site in Palghar district to review the progress of the ambitious greenfield deepdraft major port being developed by Vadhvan Port Project Limited (VPPL). Shri Gaurav Dayal, IAS, Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and CMD, VPPL, along with the Collector of Palghar district, Dr. Indurani Jakhar, IAS, Yatish Deshmukh, IPS, SP, Palghar District, Ravish Kumar Singh, IRTS, CEO, VPPL, senior officials from VPPL, JNPA and other concerned agencies, accompanied the Secretary during the site visit and provided updates on the project’s progress.
During the visit, the Secretary reviewed the progress of key components of the project and took stock of the ongoing activities at the project site. The review covered various workstreams associated with port development, including near-shore reclamation, breakwater construction, external connectivity, land acquisition, and utility infrastructure.
He was briefed by the VPPL team on the progress achieved across different components of the project and the activities planned for the coming phases. He also interacted with the stakeholders.
The Secretary emphasised the importance of close coordination among all stakeholders and maintaining momentum across the different work fronts to ensure timely execution of the project. He also reviewed the preparedness for scaling up construction activities as various enabling works and critical project requirements progress in parallel.
Providing further details, Shri Gaurav Dayal, IAS, CMD, VPPL, said, “The Secretary, MoPSW’s visit and detailed review of the project provided valuable guidance on accelerating progress across the various work fronts. The project is advancing in a structured and time-bound manner, while maintaining the highest standards of quality, sustainability and operationalpreparedness.”
VPPL continues to advance as a project of national significance, poised to strengthen India’s maritime capacity, enhance trade competitiveness and contribute to the nation’s long-term economic growth.
About VPPL:
Vadhvan Port Private Limited (VPPL) is the 13th major port of India, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB). Strategically located in Palghar district, near Dahanu, Maharashtra, VPPL is poised to be among the top 10 ports globally. The foundation stone for the port was laid on August 30th, 2024, by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
Committed to sustainability, VPPL will be 100% green from inception, ensuring minimal environmental impact. The port is set to enhance trade efficiency with the capacity to handle 24 million TEUs, stimulate economic growth, and contribute to regional development. Through initiatives like the Vadhvan Port Skilling Program, VPPL focuses on empowering local communities.
