MUMBAI, 12 SEPTEMBER, 2024 (GPN): On August 30 PM Narendra Modi and Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde had laid the foundation stone of Vadhvan Port and other works, in the Dahanu town of Palghar district in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

The connectivity of this India’s biggest port to MMR and other major cities is a concern for the state and central government.In it’s wake The Maharashtra government has unveiled plans to extend the Versova-Virar Sea Link (VVSL) up to Palghar. This extension is expected to enhance regional connectivity, alleviate traffic congestion and spur economic growth in the area. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has recently issued tenders to appoint consultants for preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this extension, marking a crucial step towards the project’s realisation.

From sea link to coastal road and airport, CM Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government is making grand plans to improve the connectivity to the Vadhvan Port.The Versova-Virar Sea Link, a proposed 42.75-kilometer eight-lane elevated road, is intended to connect Versova, a western suburb of Mumbai, to Virar, a rapidly growing residential hub in Mumbai’s satellite town.

The extension to Palghar will not only open up new opportunities for the region, but will also help decongest existing road networks, facilitating smoother movement of traffic. The enhanced connectivity is also expected to boost tourism and economic activity in Palghar and surrounding areas.

“The estimated cost of the Versova-Virar Sea Link project, which has already secured cabinet approval, is Rs 63,426 crore. The MMRDA will be responsible for the execution of the project. Extending the sea link to Palghar is expected to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Palghar significantly, making the northern suburb a more accessible destination for residents and tourists alike. Palghar, which has witnessed steady urbanisation, stands to benefit from this infrastructural upgrade,” said Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde.

To assess the best possible approach for the extension, the MMRDA has proposed two alignment options. The first involves the construction of a 21.8-km sea link, followed by a 7.3-km road connector to Palghar. The second option proposes a 15.4-km coastal road from Virar to Kelwa, followed by the widening of a 10.9-km stretch between Kelwa and Palghar. Consultants will evaluate both alternatives and provide recommendations based on technical, economic, and environmental considerations.

The port, located around 130 km north of Mumbai near Dahanu on Maharashtra’s west coast, is an all-weather Greenfield deep-draft major port off the Arabian Sea. It was approved by the union cabinet in June and is set to be the biggest in the country. It will be the 13th port in India with a capacity of around 298 million tonnes.

The port is a collaboration between Vadhavan Port Project Ltd (VPPL) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively

The consultants will also be responsible for preparing a comprehensive Feasibility and Detailed Project Report (DPR), which will encompass highway designs, working drawings and cost estimates. Additionally, they will assess the project’s economic and financial viability, along with its environmental and social impacts. Action plans for social and environmental management will be formulated to ensure the project adheres to sustainable development practices. Shinde has also asked officials to check the feasibility of constructing an airport in the vicinity of the port, which will further improve connectivity with other states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Vadhvan Port project in Maharashtra which is set to become one of India’s largest deep-water ports, with a total project cost of Rs 76,220 crore. Vadavan Port will be the third major port in Maharashtra along with the Mumbai Port of MPT and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port run by JNPT. It will be close to Gujarat, Rajasthan and central India, and also to most of India’s cargo destination locations.

The groundbreaking foundation stone laying ceremony of the Vadhvan Port was held at CIDCO Ground in Palghar. Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying SP Singh Baghel George Kurian and many other dignitaries had attend the landmark ceremony.