HomeLatestPalghar Completes Drone Survey for Rs 76 000 Crore Vadhavan Port Project

Palghar Completes Drone Survey for Rs 76 000 Crore Vadhavan Port Project

The drone survey for the ambitious Vadhavan Port Project in Maharashtra’s Dahanu Taluka has been successfully concluded, marking a key technical milestone for the ₹76,200 crore deep-draft seaport. This development unfolds amidst ongoing concerns from local communities regarding potential livelihood displacement and environmental impact, prompting ongoing dialogue between district officials and affected villagers to ensure an inclusive and equitable development trajectory for this significant infrastructure endeavour.

The Vadhavan Port, envisioned as an all-weather greenfield deep-draft major port, received Union Cabinet approval in 2024. It is designed to be one of the world’s top ten ports, constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) jointly formed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), holding 74% and 26% shareholding respectively. The completion of the drone survey, conducted by a technical agency, represents a crucial step in the pre-construction phase, providing vital topographical data for the expansive project. Despite the technical progress, the project has faced considerable resistance from a section of local villagers. These communities, primarily dependent on fishing and agriculture, have voiced strong objections, fearing that the port’s development will irrevocably impact their traditional livelihoods and displace them from their ancestral lands.

While some initial protesters did not attend a recent meeting convened by district officials, representatives from several affected coastal villages actively participated, articulating their demands for fair compensation and robust rehabilitation measures. A central point of contention revolves around the compensation for land slated for acquisition, particularly for the associated greenfield highway project. Villagers are advocating for significantly higher compensation packages to adequately reflect the true value of their land and the profound disruption to their lives. Furthermore, a critical demand is the assurance of preferential employment opportunities for local residents within the vast port project, aiming to integrate the affected population into the new economic landscape created by the port. This addresses the human angle, ensuring that large-scale infrastructure benefits the communities it impacts directly, aligning with principles of equitable urban development.

In response to these community demands, the district administration has affirmed that JNPA has agreed in principle to prioritise local residents for employment opportunities within the project. This commitment is a significant step towards ensuring that the economic dividends of the port are shared with those whose lives are most directly impacted. Moreover, officials clarified that a comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation policy specifically tailored for the fishing community, who face the unique challenge of losing access to traditional fishing grounds, is currently under meticulous preparation. The development of a greenfield deep-draft port of this magnitude inherently carries environmental implications. Such projects involve extensive dredging and reclamation, which can alter marine ecosystems and coastal dynamics. While the project proponents emphasize sustainable construction practices and a minimal environmental footprint, local activists and marine biologists have raised concerns about potential ecological damage, including impacts on marine life and the sensitive coastal zone.

For the project to truly align with the vision of zero-net-carbon and eco-friendly cities, it must proactively integrate advanced environmental mitigation strategies and long-term ecological monitoring programmes to safeguard the biodiversity of the Dahanu region. The government maintains that it remains sensitive to public sentiment and is committed to an inclusive development process for the ₹76,200 crore project. This emphasis on public consultation and addressing grievances is vital for fostering trust and ensuring that large-scale infrastructure projects are undertaken with social equity at their core. The ongoing dialogue, even with absent initial protestors, signals a recognition of the need for continuous engagement to build consensus and address the socio-economic concerns of the local populace, ensuring that development is truly sustainable and benefits all segments of society.

Also Read :Kolkata Port Switches to Electric Cranes Paving Way for Greener Cargo

Palghar Completes Drone Survey for Rs 76 000 Crore Vadhavan Port Project
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