In a significant move aimed at bolstering India’s maritime infrastructure, the Narendra Modi-led government has unveiled plans for the Vadhavan port project in Maharashtra’s Palghar district.
Valued at Rs 76,220 crore, this ambitious initiative not only promises to enhance sea-based trade capabilities but also signals a major stride towards India’s goal of becoming the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, boasting a GDP of $5 trillion.
Under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, stakeholders will develop the Vadhavan port as an all-weather Greenfield deep draft major port.
The project includes developing essential infrastructure such as terminals and commercial facilities, which stakeholders expect to support robust industrial growth in the region.
Estimates project that the port will generate approximately 10 lakh direct and indirect job opportunities, thereby substantially boosting employment in Maharashtra and making a significant contribution to the national economy.
India’s Cargo Volume Surges: Managing 12 Key Ports & Reaching 12.31 Million TEUs In FY 2024
India, currently managing 12 key ports, has witnessed a notable surge in cargo volume, with figures reaching 12.31 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in the fiscal year 2024, up from 11.39 million TEUs in the previous year, as reported by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
This expansion underscores India’s increasing importance on the global maritime map.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), a key player in India’s port infrastructure, has played a pivotal role in driving growth along both the western and eastern coasts.
In FY24, APSEZ recorded a historic cargo volume of 420 million metric tonnes, marking a remarkable 24% year-on-year increase.
The company’s strategic acquisitions and upcoming projects, including the Vizhinjam Port and West Container Terminal in Sri Lanka, are poised to further bolster its operational capacity.
The Vadhavan port project, slated to comprise nine container terminals, four multipurpose berths, and specialized cargo handling facilities, will reclaim 1,448 hectares of sea area and construct 10.14 km of the offshore breakwater.
Once completed, it will handle a cumulative capacity of 298 million metric tonnes per annum, including around 23.2 million TEUs of container traffic.
Maharashtra Ports Minister Sanjay Bansode hailed the Vadhavan port as a transformative initiative that will propel the state towards achieving its economic goals, including the ambitious target of a $1 trillion economy.
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