Context: The Environment Ministry has cleared the ₹76,000 crore odd Vadhavan deep-sea port project, off Mumbai.
Vadhavan Port
- The proposed Vadhvan Port is located near Dahanu, in the northern boundary of Maharashtra, Palghar District.
- Vadhavan will be constructed by the joint venture in which Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) will have 74 per cent stake and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) at 26 per cent.
- It has a natural draft of 20 meters depth at a distance of 5 km.
Deep Draught Port: The term “deep draft” is a term to describe ports that can accommodate large vessels such as big cargo ships.
- It has a potential to cater the vast hinterland region covering states of: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Western parts of Madhya Pradesh and North Indian states.
Salient Features
- Development of a Port at Vadhvan has been conceived under Sagarmala Programe an initiative of the Govt. Of India to augment Port Led Development and Development of Coastlines to contribute to India ‘s growth.
- The objective is to augment and develop Green Field Port to handle growing traffic demand from Major Ports on the West Coast.
- The new Port at Vadhvan will be developed as a deep draught Port to cater to large containers, bulk, and crude vessels.
- No capital dredging required in navigational channel & harbor area as draft of 18 m is naturally available.
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