PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone Of India’s Largest Deep-Water Port ‘Vadhvan’ In Maharashtra’s Palghar – News18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid the foundation stone for the Vadhvan Port project in Maharashtra’s Palghar. Located near Dahanu town in the district, Vadhvan will be one of India’s largest deep-water ports.

To be built at a cost of Rs 76,000 crore, the Vadhvan  project aims to create a state-of-the-art maritime gateway that is expected to enhance India’s trade capabilities.

In addition to the port, PM Modi also inaugurated 218 fisheries projects worth around ₹1,560 crore, aimed at upgrading the infrastructure and productivity of the fisheries sector nationwide. These initiatives are anticipated to create over five lakh employment opportunities.

While addressing the event, PM Modi said that these developmental projects would be remembered as a historic effort for developed Maharashtra.

“This is a very big day for India’s development journey. Developed Maharashtra is the most important part of the resolution of developed India. Therefore, whether it is the last 10 years or now the third term of my government, big decisions have been taken continuously for Maharashtra. Maharashtra has the necessary power and resources for development. Today the foundation stone of Vadhavan Port has been laid and Rs 76,000 crore will be spent on it. It will be biggest container port in the country,” he said.

PM addresses Sindhudurg collapse incident

PM Modi, while addressing the launch event, mentioned about the collapse of 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Sindhudurg’s Rajkot Fort and apologised for the unfortunate incident.

“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name for us… today I bow my head and apologise to my god Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Our values ​​are different, we are not those people who keep abusing and insulting the great son of Mother India, the son of this land, Veer Savarkar. They are not ready to apologize, they are ready to go to the courts and fight…” he said.

He also apologised to the followers of the Maratha king and to those who consider Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to be their Aaradhya Dev. 

“Those who consider Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to be their Aaradhya Dev, I bow my head and apologize to those who have been deeply hurt by this Aaradhya Dev. I bow my head and apologize to those who have been deeply hurt by this Aaradhya Dev. My values are different. For me, there is nothing greater than my Aaradhya Dev,” he added.

PM Modi also took a jibe at the opposition and said that some people (MVA govt) want to keep Maharashtra behind.

“In 2020, a decision was also taken to build a port here. But after that the government changed and no work was done here for 2.5 years. This project alone is estimated to bring an investment of several lakh crore rupees here. About 12 lakh employment opportunities will be created here. Who had objections to this development of Maharashtra? Who were these people who did not want the youth of Maharashtra to get employment? Some people want to keep Maharashtra behind, whereas our NDA Government, Mahayuti Government wants to take Maharashtra to the forefront in the country,” he said.

While addressing the event, state deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that with the launch of this project, PM Modi’s name will remembered for the next 200 years as he did the work of taking the nation forward.

“There is always an event which is a turning point in a country’s history. I can say that with this Vadhvan Port, the PM’s name will remembered for the next 200 years as he did the work of taking the nation forward….I would also like to suggest to construct an airport in Palghar as Mumbai expands,” he said.

Earlier in the day, he addressed the Global Fintech Fest 2024 at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre, the prime minister said that the country’s fintech revolution is improving financial inclusion as well as driving innovation.

All about ‘LARGEST DEEP-WATER’ PORT

• Vadhvan Port, located near Dahanu town in Palghar district, will be one of India’s largest deep-water ports and will provide direct connectivity to international shipping routes, reducing transit times and costs.
• The total project cost, including the land acquisition component is Rs 76,220 crore. This includes development of core infrastructure, terminals and other commercial infrastructure in public-private partnerships (PPP) mode.
• Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, the port will feature deep berths, efficient cargo handling facilities and modern port management systems.

• It will comprise nine container terminals, each 1000 meters long, four multipurpose berths, including the coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth.
• The port is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses and contribute to the overall economic development of the region. According to the Centre, the port can create up to 12 lakh jobs and nearly 1 crore indirect employment opportunities.
• Once completed, the port will be one of the top 10 ports in the world. The first phase of the project will be ready by 2029 while the second and final phase is expected to be completed by 2039.

FISHERY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects worth around Rs 1,560 crore, aimed at bolstering the sector’s infrastructure and productivity across the nation. These initiatives are expected to generate more than five lakh employment opportunities in the fisheries sector.

The prime minister also launched the National Roll Out of Vessel Communication and Support system at a cost of around Rs 360 crore. Under this project, one lakh transponders will be installed in a phased manner on mechanised and motorised fishing vessels in 13 coastal states and Union Territories, the statement said.

Other initiatives inaugurated by the prime minister include the development of fishing harbours and integrated aquaparks alongside the adoption of advanced technologies such as the recirculatory aquaculture system and biofloc. The prime minister also laid the foundation stone for important fishery infrastructure projects including development, upgradation and modernisation of fishing harbours, fish landing centres and construction of fish markets.