Supreme Court Rejects Interim Relief for Opponents, Clears Path for JNPA’s Vadhvan Port Project
Mumbai:
Port Wings News Network:
With the Supreme Court of India declining to give any interim relief to local associations who have moved the Apex Court against the ambitious port project at Vadhvan, JNPA, who is developing the Vadhvan Port at Taluka Dahanu, District Palghar, Maharashtra, has announced its decision to pursue the project in line with the approved schedule placed before the Supreme Court.
These associations had sought interim relief in the form of restraining orders to halt any work relating to the establishment of a Major Port at Vadhvan, Dahanu Taluka.
However, the Court observed that the “acquisition proceedings and other related steps would remain subject to further orders in the pending petitions.” As of date, there is no stay on the development work of Vadhvan Port, and JNPA continues to pursue the project.
Commenting on the development, Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairperson, JNPA and CMD, Vadhvan Port Project Ltd. (VPPL), stated, “The Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order reaffirms faith in India’s maritime vision and the integrity of due process. Vadhvan Port is not merely an infrastructural undertaking—it is an emblem of progress, poised to connect the nation’s western coast with the world’s trade arteries. As we move ahead, our endeavour remains guided by sensitivity and balance—ensuring that development does not come at the expense of community, but rather, in concert with it. We remain deeply committed to the well-being of local residents, striving to create an ecosystem where growth and harmony coexist, and where the benefits of progress are shared inclusively and sustainably.”
Pursuant to the Cabinet approval, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is developing the Vadhvan Port at Taluka Dahanu, District Palghar, Maharashtra. The project, one of India’s most ambitious port infrastructure initiatives, had been challenged by certain local associations before the Supreme Court of India.
Vide order dated 28.02.2025, the Supreme Court, after taking on record the development schedule of the Vadhvan Port Project submitted by JNPA, dismissed the prayer for interim relief sought by the petitioners.
The Vadhvan Port Project is envisioned to redefine India’s maritime landscape by enhancing port capacity, catalysing regional development, and strengthening the nation’s position as a global logistics hub.
About VPPL:
Vadhvan Port Private Limited (VPPL) is the 13th major port of India, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB). Strategically located in Palghar district, near Dahanu, Maharashtra, VPPL is poised to be among the top 10 ports globally. The foundation stone for the port was laid on 30 August 2024, by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Committed to sustainability, VPPL will be 100% green from inception, ensuring minimal environmental impact. The port is set to enhance trade efficiency with the capacity to handle 24 million TEUs, stimulate economic growth, and contribute to regional development. Through initiatives like the Vadhvan Port Skilling Program, VPPL focuses on empowering local communities.
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