The Supreme Court has asked the coalition government to consider appointing an independent expert body to evaluate ₹7600 billion Whatwaan Port Project in Palgar District, Maharashtra.
Justices of Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued an interim order on Friday, while hearing pleas from the National Fish Workers Forum, which issued an interim order on Friday, which opposed the environment and livelihood basis.
Although the court did not stop the project, it noted that the government guaranteed no major construction work was planned at this stage.
“On the surface, this will destroy the environment…don’t start working and appoint an agency,” the substitute noted.
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Attorney General R. Venkataramani, on behalf of the Union Government and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), urged the court to listen to the authorities before issuing any orders that could suspend the project.
He noted that the port had undergone several expert comments and received the necessary approval.
However, the bench reiterated its commitment to environmental protection.
“Ultimately, we are also guardians of the environment. We have to be satisfied. We appoint an expert agency to speak for us in the interests of everyone,” the court said.
Strategic importance
The Vadhavan port project, approved by the Cabinet on June 19, 2024, was later opened on August 30, 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Vadhavan Port Project Ltd (VPPL) is developing the port, a joint venture between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Commission (MMB). JNPA holds 74% of the shares, while MMB holds 26%. The port is expected to operate within five years.
The port aims to strengthen India’s connectivity with Central Asia and Russia through the International North-South Transport Corridor (Instc) and the Central East European Economic Corridor (IMEC).
It is expected to ease traffic congestion at the port of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s busiest container handling facility.
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With its scale and economic potential, the government regards the Vadawan Port as one of the top ten ports in the world.
In addition, state-run Rec Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding with JNPA ₹450 million in infrastructure development funds.
Estimated total project costs including land acquisitions, ₹762.22 billion.
The Vadhavan port project will have nine 1,000-meter container terminals, multiple cargo and liquid berths, a Ro-ro-ro-Ro berth and Coast Guard berths.
The government plans to reclaim 1,448 hectares of ocean and build a 10.14km sea breakwater. The port will be one of the largest ports in the world, with a cargo handling capacity of 298 MM per year, including 23.2 million 2 billion moles (TEUS).
It will be closely related to national highways and dedicated freight corridors.
Economically, Maharashtra’s GDP is expected to increase by 1% and generate 1.2 million direct and 10 million indirect work.
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