Vadhvan Port Project has invited bids for near-shore reclamation and shore protection works, valued at Rs 17 billion, under an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract. This marks the initial phase of constructing a new deep-water major port at Vadhvan, located near Dahanu in Maharashtra’s Palghar district.

The massive port project, with an estimated cost of Rs 762.20 billion, will be developed on 1,448 hectare of reclaimed land.

Unmesh Wagh, Chairman of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, mentioned that they plan to create nearly 200 hectares of land close to the shore, which will serve as the starting point for offshore activities like breakwater and reclamation. He explained that all subsequent work would commence from this area, which will also serve as a hub for future operations. Once the offshore works are complete, the reclaimed land will be utilized as a storage yard for containers, constructing tank farms, and laying railway lines, among other uses.

Vadhvan Port Project is a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, holding a 74 per cent stake, and Maharashtra Maritime Board, with 26 per cent equity, established to oversee the Vadhvan Port development. The essential infrastructure for the deep-water port—such as dredging, reclamation, shore protection, breakwater construction, approach trestle, and connectivity via rail and road—requires an investment of Rs 389.76 billion.

Of this, the dredging, offshore reclamation, and shore protection projects are set to be executed under a public-private-partnership (PPP) or Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), estimated at Rs 206.47 billion.

The remaining core infrastructure will follow the EPC mode, while private operators selected by Vadhvan Port Project will contribute Rs 372.44 billion to cover the rest of the project's costs, including the construction of container terminals, multipurpose berths, coastal cargo berths, RO-RO facilities, and liquid berths.