Union Cabinet Greenlights Vadhvan Port Road Link

Mumbai: The Union Cabinet has sanctioned a crucial 32-kilometre road connectivity project linking Vadhvan Port to National Highway 48, marking a significant advancement in the development of the port infrastructure.

This move, authorised by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), sets the stage for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to initiate the land acquisition process. The Cabinet’s decision, formalised through a gazette notification on August 12, 2024, designates the route from Tawa Junction to Vadhvan Port as a National Highway. This declaration is pivotal for facilitating the transport of quarry materials essential for the port’s construction, addressing current limitations posed by the existing narrow local roads.

According to the Chairman of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), the new road is indispensable for streamlining the transportation of construction materials. “The designation of this road as a National Highway by MoRTH will greatly expedite the project. The existing roads cannot accommodate the heavy transportation needs, and this new road will significantly alleviate these constraints,” he stated.

He further elaborated that upon the issuance of the 3(A) notification by NHAI, land acquisition procedures will commence without delay. Concurrently, NHAI will start the tendering process for constructing an initial 20-kilometre, two-lane road. This segment will provide essential access for material transport and is part of the broader connectivity plan for Vadhvan Port, with future expansions anticipated as the project progresses.

The Vadhvan Port Project, which received Union Cabinet approval in June 2024, has already seen substantial interest from leading organisations in response to Expressions of Interest (EoI) for its development and maintenance. The project involves dredging, reclamation, and the construction of an offshore protection bund under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Construction of the port is projected to commence following the next monsoon, contingent on the establishment of the road link.