In a significant boost to the ambitious Vadhvan Port project, as many as 124 villagers in Maharashtra’s Palghar district have voluntarily handed over possession of their land parcels to the district administration after agreeing to government terms, officials said, reported PTI.
Voluntary land handover signals growing community trust
According to the district administration, the land handed over spans approximately 2.5 hectares in Varor village and consists of 41 subdivisions. The parcel is considered strategically important for the development of port infrastructure and had earlier been held up due to complex land survey disputes, reported PTI.
District Collector Indu Rani Jakhar described the development as a “landmark of trust” between the administration and local residents. She said the cooperation shown by villagers reflects confidence in the government’s approach to resolving land-related concerns, reported PTI.
Direct engagement helps resolve long-pending disputes
Senior district officials conducted on-ground visits and held face-to-face consultations with affected landowners to address their concerns. This engagement played a key role in building consensus and ensuring a smooth resolution process, reported PTI.
One of the landowners expressed satisfaction with the administration’s efforts, noting that officials took time to listen to concerns and provided transparent and practical solutions. The approach helped create a sense of fairness and clarity among villagers.
Landowners opt for settlement without litigation
In a notable move, the 124 landowners chose not to pursue civil litigation and instead resolved compensation-related issues directly with the administration. Officials said that in a gesture of trust, the landowners handed over possession without seeking advance compensation, highlighting their willingness to support the project, reported PTI.
Strategic importance of Vadhvan Port project
The upcoming Vadhvan Port, located near Dahanu in Palghar district, is being developed as an all-weather greenfield port. The project is being executed by a special purpose vehicle formed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and the Maharashtra Maritime Board.
Once completed, the port will feature nine container terminals of 1,000 metres each, along with four multipurpose berths, four liquid cargo berths, a roll-on/roll-off berth, and a dedicated Coast Guard berth. The project also involves reclaiming around 1,448 hectares of land from the sea and constructing a 10.14-kilometre offshore breakwater, along with extensive cargo storage infrastructure.
Mega project expected to boost trade and economy
The foundation stone for the Rs 76,220 crore project was laid by Narendra Modi on August 30, 2024. Once operational, the port is expected to emerge as one of the top 10 container ports globally, significantly enhancing India’s maritime trade capacity.
Officials said the latest land acquisition milestone is expected to accelerate project timelines and strengthen the region’s prospects as a major logistics and trade hub, reported PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
