PM Modi To Launch India's Largest Deep-Water Port ‘Vadhvan’ In Palghar Shortly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday will lay the foundation stone for the Vadhvan Port project in Maharashtra’s Palghar. Located near Dahanu town in the district, Vadhvan will be one of India’s largest deep-water ports.

To be built at a cost of Rs 76,000 crore, the project aims to create a state-of-the-art maritime gateway that is expected to enhance India’s trade capabilities.

In addition to the port, PM Modi will inaugurate 218 fisheries projects worth around ₹1,560 crore, aimed at upgrading the infrastructure and productivity of the fisheries sector nationwide. These initiatives are anticipated to create over five lakh employment opportunities.

Earlier in the day, he addressed the Global Fintech Fest 2024 at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre, the prime minister said that the country’s fintech revolution is improving financial inclusion as well as driving innovation.

All about ‘LARGEST DEEP-WATER’ PORT

• Vadhvan Port, located near Dahanu town in Palghar district, will be one of India’s largest deep-water ports and will provide direct connectivity to international shipping routes, reducing transit times and costs.
• The total project cost, including the land acquisition component is Rs 76,220 crore. This includes development of core infrastructure, terminals and other commercial infrastructure in public-private partnerships (PPP) mode.
• Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, the port will feature deep berths, efficient cargo handling facilities and modern port management systems.

• It will comprise nine container terminals, each 1000 meters long, four multipurpose berths, including the coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth.
• The port is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses and contribute to the overall economic development of the region. According to the Centre, the port can create up to 12 lakh jobs and nearly 1 crore indirect employment opportunities.
• Once completed, the port will be one of the top 10 ports in the world. The first phase of the project will be ready by 2029 while the second and final phase is expected to be completed by 2039.

SPECIAL PROJECT’ IN PALGHAR

“A very special project that will contribute to India’s development. It will also reaffirm Maharashtra’s pivotal role as a powerhouse of progress,” PM Modi had said in a post on social media platform X. The Vadhvan Port aims to establish a world-class maritime gateway that will boost the country’s trade and economic growth by catering to large container vessels, offering deeper drafts, and accommodating ultra-large cargo ships, it said.

TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS

In the wake of PM Modi’s visit to Palghar, the Navi Mumbai Traffic Police have announced restrictions on heavy vehicles. PM Modi is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation for several projects at CIDCO ground in Palghar around 1:30 pm. To ensure smooth traffic flow, heavy goods vehicles, excluding those for essential services, will be barred from entering Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway No. 48 in both directions. However, restrictions don’t apply to vehicles of essential services.

FISHERY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

PM Modi will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects worth around Rs 1,560 crore, aimed at bolstering the sector’s infrastructure and productivity across the nation. These initiatives are expected to generate more than five lakh employment opportunities in the fisheries sector.

The prime minister will also launch the National Roll Out of Vessel Communication and Support system at a cost of around Rs 360 crore. Under this project, one lakh transponders will be installed in a phased manner on mechanised and motorised fishing vessels in 13 coastal states and Union Territories, the statement said.

Other initiatives to be inaugurated by the prime minister include the development of fishing harbours and integrated aquaparks alongside the adoption of advanced technologies such as the recirculatory aquaculture system and biofloc. The prime minister will also lay the foundation stone for important fishery infrastructure projects including development, upgradation and modernisation of fishing harbours, fish landing centres and construction of fish markets.