**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' responses to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2277, answered on August 1, 2025, regarding the development of key maritime projects.
Regarding the Vadhavan Port project in the Palghar district, the environmental clearance has been obtained, and the 3D notification for land acquisition related to road and rail connectivity has been received.
The development of the Vizhinjam International Seaport is projected to reduce India's reliance on foreign ports for cargo transshipment. The project aims to attract mainline vessels, establish a competitive transshipment hub, generate consumer surplus through reduced shipping costs, and enhance national port competitiveness.
The Ministry is actively pursuing strategies to increase Indian cargo movement through Chabahar and Sittwe Ports, including infrastructure investments, stakeholder consultations, awareness campaigns, and incentive programs.
The target completion date for phase 1A of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat, is September 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara: Member of Parliament who raised the question about maritime projects.
Vadhavan Port project, Palghar district: A port project located in Palghar district, Maharashtra, India, for which land acquisition and environmental clearances were inquired about.
Vizhinjam International seaport: An international seaport project in India, aimed at reducing India's dependence on foreign ports for transshipment.
Chabahar Port: A port in Iran that India is investing in to increase cargo movement.
Sittwe Port: A port in Myanmar that India is investing in to increase cargo movement.
Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal, Gujarat: A heritage complex being developed in Lothal, Gujarat, India.
Sarbananda Sonowal: Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2277
ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF KEY MARITIME PROJECTS
2277. DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन एवं जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ालय
(a) whether land acquisition and environmental clearances for the Vadhavan Port project
in Palghar district have been completed;
(b) the manner in which the development of Vizhinjam International seaport will reduce
India’s dependence on other international ports for trans-shipment of cargo;
(c) whether the Government plans to increase Indian cargo movement through Chabahar
and Sittwe Ports, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether timelines have been fixed for completing the Maritime Heritage Complex at
Lothal, Gujarat; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) The Environmental Clearance has been obtained and 3D Notification for Land
acquisition with respect to Road and Rail Connectivity has been received.
(b) The development of the Vizhinjam Project is expected to bring back a significant
portion of the Indian cargo transshipment currently conducted at foreign ports. Once fully
developed the transshipment business is set to generate significant consumer surplus by
savings on shipping and navigation costs. By attracting mainline vessels and establishing
itself as a competitive transshipment hub, Vizhinjam International Port is certain to
minimize India's dependence on foreign ports and strengthen national port
competitiveness.
(c) Yes. The Ministry is continuously taking several measures such as investing in port
infrastructure, conducting stakeholder consultations and awareness campaigns and
providing a range of incentives to increase trade and traffic.
(d) and (e) The target completion date for phase 1A of the project “Development of
National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat” is September, 2025.
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