Parliament Question: Ports in Maharashtra

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5536 ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026 PORTS IN MAHARASHTRA 5536. SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY: Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: प(cid:517)न,पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी (a) the expansion plans for the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Maharashtra; (b) the status of the Vadhavan Port in Palghar district of Maharashtra; (c) the manner in which this new port will boost exports and improve ease of doing business; (d) the steps taken to reduce turn-around times for cargo; (e) the steps taken to enhance capacity utilization of ports in Maharashtra, as well as in major ports across the country; and (f) the steps taken to boost employment in major ports such as JNPT and Mumbai port, as well as boost capital investment? ANSWER MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL) (a) to (c) The expansion plans for the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) include commissioning of Phase II of Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal (BMCT), boosting handling capabilities through NhavaSheva Freeport Terminal (NSFT), NhavaSheva Distribution Terminal (NSDT) &Vadhavan Port in Palghar district of Maharashtra and monetizing vacant land parcels through State of the art agro processing facility & warehouse facility. The Union Cabinet approved the Vadhavan Port project on 19 June 2024, and work on onshore reclamation has commenced. Vadhavan Port project with its natural depth of 20 meters is capable of accommodating the world’s largest container vessels (up to 24,000 TEUs), eliminating the need for expensive transshipment at foreign ports like Colombo or Singapore. Its close proximity to the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) andthe Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway is set to reduce transit times for EXIM trade from North and West India, significantly. (d) to (e) Major Port Authorities including Ports in Maharashtra are taking various steps such as mechanization of berths, implementation of Multi-Modal connectivity projects, promoting port led industrialization through Sagarmala Scheme and digitalization of processes and procedures to further reduce turn-around times for cargo. To increase capacity utilization, major ports have initiatives such as enhancing Public- Private Partnership (PPP) participation to attract additional cargo, offering concessions on Cargo Related Charges (CRCs) and Vessel Related Charges (VRCs), promoting mechanization, modernization and automation of port operations, and undertaking draft enhancement to enable the handling of larger vessels. These measures are aimed at improving operational efficiency and attracting higher cargo volumes (f) Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, in partnership with CIDCO, has established the CIDCO-JNPA Multi-skill Development Centre (MSDC) under Pradhan MantriKaushalVikasYojana to train local youth in maritime and logistics-related courses. Additionally, employment opportunities has been generated through investments in the JNPA Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Mumbai Port Authority through its various projects such as Construction of Third Chemical Berth (TCB), Development of Mallet Bunder Fishing Harbour in Maharashtra, Implementation of Automation system at Marine oil Terminal & Upgrading and Modernisation of International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock has generated direct and indirect employment. *****