From Obscurity to Opportunity: Unveiling Vadhavan Port, India's Next Maritime Powerhouse.

From Obscurity to Opportunity: Unveiling Vadhavan Port, India's Next Maritime Powerhouse.

On 19 June 2024, the entire media suddenly started talking about a forgotten small port called the Vadhavan port, primarily used to import coal for power plants. Most citizens even unaware if such a port even exists. This blog tries to discover what is forgotten, what is there, and what lies ahead.
A headline like – ‘Rs 76,000-cr Vadhavan Port project in Maharashtra gets Cabinet approval’ on business standard, or ‘Maharashtra's Vadhavan Port Set to Generate Hundreds of Jobs and Boost Global Presence; Details Here’ on india.com and many more such headlines on leading newspapers cannot simply go unnoticed. Intrigued by the tsunami of headlines social media shares and comments by eminent leaders both from industry and politics, I decided to go further deep to explore more.

Vadhavan Port is a proposed greenfield deep-sea port located in the Dahanu region of Maharashtra, India. The port site is strategically positioned to serve as a hub port in the Arabian Sea, catering to container traffic from various regions, including the east coast of Africa, India's west coast, and countries in the Persian Gulf. But what makes Vadhavan port a strategic choice? The answer can be found in an executive summary prepared by environmental consultants: Enkay Enviro Services Pvt Ltd. They state that the port is in the proximity to hinterland clusters including the upcoming dedicated freight corridors (DFC) and Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and according to business standards, it can serve as a gateway for the upcoming India – Middle East – Europe corridor (IMEC) and International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC).
The port is said to be developed in 2 phases, which would start by reclaiming land of 1,448 hectares. The basic infrastructure of the port includes the 10 KM long breakwater, rail, road linkages, and other common services. Cargo handling infrastructure such as container terminals, storage yards equipment, etc, the container berth will have a length of 9000 m with 4 terminals each of 1000 m capable of handling vessels of 24,000 TEU and above. The largest container vessel today is “MSC Irina” which has a capacity of 24,346 TEU. Container vessels of this size typically have a deep draft of 18m – 19m. The Vadhavan port is said to have a natural depth of 20 m below the chart datum. Hence once operational we may witness the largest of the container vessels docking in India.

In phase 2, development will focus on expanding and enhancing the existing infrastructure. Additional dredging may be undertaken and may develop additional container terminals.
In its fully functional phase, it is believed that the port will handle Majorly container traffic but also include 4 liquid bulk cargo terminals for handling tankers one Ro-Ro terminal, and 4 Multipurpose berths. Based on the container terminal layout and design, the estimated container handling capacity would be close to 23.3 million TEU (Twenty-foot equivalent units). This would place Vadhavan port among the Top 10 largest container ports in the world, taking the 7th spot after Guangzhou port, China (see fig.). 

The ambitious port is said to be developed with an investment of Rs.76,200 crore. A joint venture of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maritime Board of Maharashtra will develop this infrastructure project. Phase one is said to be completed by 2030 and the Phase two is said to be completed by 2039. Further to this, the development of Vadhavan port would also provide direct and indirect employment to approx. 12 Lakh people. I am certainly excited about the way the port would contribute to the growing economy of India, but with growth comes more responsibility. Responsibility towards the environment, the people, and the culture. Let’s look at the other side of growth as well.
 

The Ecology of the Vadhavan region:
The coastal and marine ecosystem around Vadhavan is rich in biodiversity, including various species of fish, crustaceans, and other marine life. Mangroves and coral reefs can also be found in the region, providing critical habitats for numerous species. Mangroves are prevalent along the coastline and play a crucial role in coastal protection, serving as a buffer against storms and erosion and supporting marine biodiversity. The waters near Vadhavan are significant for local fisheries. The area supports a variety of fish species that are vital for local consumption and commercial fishing.

Lifestyle of People and Community in Vadhavan:
The community in Vadhavan and surrounding areas comprises primarily small fishing villages. The population is predominantly engaged in traditional occupations. Fishing is the primary livelihood for many residents. Both small-scale and commercial fishing activities are common, with fish markets playing a central role in the local economy. Besides fishing, some community members engage in agriculture, cultivating crops like rice, coconut, and vegetables, which are suited to the coastal climate.
 

Culture and Traditions:
The community has a rich cultural heritage, with traditional practices and festivals centered around fishing and agriculture. Festivals like Holi, Diwali, and local maritime festivals are celebrated with enthusiasm. Handicrafts, including woven mats, baskets, and pottery, are part of the local culture, often made using locally sourced materials.
It is a fact that such a development of a mega port will certainly have effects on the environment and also on the lives of the locals and onto their livelihood. In fact, according to a report by India Today, the protest against the construction of the port has been going on for the past 25 years and the matter is in the Supreme Court.
The locals have concerns that the 10 Km breakwater that would be constructed can cause the water to come inside their village. Further, the area from Vasai to the Gujarat coast is called the “Golden Belt” for fishing. Fishing is the biggest employment generator here; the port will render them jobless. The construction of connecting rail and roads and the heavy traffic will end the agriculture also in this area. The sense of fear among the locals prevailed that they would be shifted out of their homes once this port started developing.

Conclusion: 

The Government has a great challenge ahead, to make ends meet. In one place it is important to develop the port and place India as an economic superpower and on the other hand there is a great responsibility to save the environment and the conservation of its people and culture. India can no longer give priority to development over the environment as most third-world countries do. Perhaps this is why they call it a greenfield project, necessitating careful planning and mitigation strategies to minimize the adverse effects. I'd be happy to learn your opinion on this ambitious project, feel free to write it in the comment section.

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