## Vadhvan Port Project: Policy Summary
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to questions regarding the Vadhvan Port project, a deep-draft port on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The project aims to significantly enhance India's maritime capabilities and support local development.
**Key Objectives and Impact:**
* **Enhanced Container Handling Capacity:** The Vadhvan Port is projected to increase India's container handling capacity by 23.2 million TEUs, which is expected to elevate India's position among global maritime hubs.
* **Skilling Programs:** The Vadhvan Port Skilling Program is designed to develop skills in rural youth and strengthen the agri-logistics value chain.
**Collaborations and Agreements:**
Several key collaborations and agreements have been established to support the skilling program:
1. **VPPL and Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU):** A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is in place.
2. **JNPA and Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping):** An MoU has been signed to provide skill development training to locals and project-affected people through Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs).
3. **VPPL and Sahyadri Farms:** A strategic MoU aims to invigorate rural entrepreneurship and fortify the agri-value chain.
4. **NGO Partnerships:** Training programs are ongoing for heavy vehicle driving and mechanics in partnership with NGOs.
5. **WhatsApp Chatbot:** VPPL has launched a dedicated WhatsApp Chatbot to provide information and facilitate registration for the skilling program for the youth of Vadhavan.
**Development Initiatives for Tribal, Rural, and Coastal Communities (Specifically Palghar District and Maharashtra):**
The government is prioritizing the development of tribal, rural, and coastal populations in the region through various initiatives, including:
1. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (Tribal Development Mission)
2. Forests Rights Livelihood Empowerment
3. TREE Programme (Tribal Rights Expansion Empowerment)
4. Projects under MGNREGA
5. Zila Parishads Thakkar Bappa Tribal Settlement Programme
6. Coastal Community Skill Development of VPPL
7. Impact India's Community Health Initiative (CHI)
Key Entities Referenced
Vadhvan Port Project: A deep-draft port project in Maharashtra, India, aimed at enhancing India's container handling capacity and global maritime position.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
Sarbananda Sonowal: The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Palghar district, Maharashtra: A district in Maharashtra, India, where the development initiatives are focused.
IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMEC: An economic corridor of strategic importance, where Vadhavan Port is located.
Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University YCMOU: An open university in Maharashtra that has signed an MoU with Vadhavan Port Project Ltd for skilling programs.
Sahyadri Farms: An agricultural company that has signed an MoU with VPPL to invigorate rural entrepreneurship and fortify the agri-value chain.
MGNREGA: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1049
ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025
VADHVAN PORT PROJECT
1049. SMT. APARAJITA SARANGI:
DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA:
SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN:
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 manner in which the upcoming Vadhvan Port project is expected to position India
among the world’s top 10 maritime hubs;
(b) whether any collaborations and agreements have been signed under the Vadhvan
Port Skilling Program that aims to develop skills of rural youth and strengthen the agri-
logistics value chain;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of the Government's plan to prioritise development of tribal, other rural and
coastal people of this region particularly in Palghar district and Maharashtra?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) The Vadhavan Port, a deep-draft port located on the India-Middle East-Europe
Economic Corridor (IMEC), is projected to enhance India’s container handling capacity
by 23.2 million TEUs. This new Port development is set to elevate India’s position within
global maritime hubs.
(b) and (c) The details of agreements and skilling programmes are at Annexure I.
(d) Details are at Annexure II.Annexure I
A list of Key Agreements and details of skilling programmeare mentioned below:
1. Vadhavan Port Project Ltd (VPPL) and Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open
University (YCMOU): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed
between VPPL and YCMOU.
2. JNPA and Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping): An MoU has been
signed to provide skill development training to locals and project-affected people
in the Vadhavan region through selected Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs).
3. VPPL and Sahyadri Farms: A strategic MoU has been forged between VPPL and
Sahyadri Farms, aimed at invigorating rural entrepreneurship and fortifying the
agri-value chain.
4. Collaboration with NGOs for Heavy Vehicle Driving and Mechanics: Training
programs are ongoing for heavy vehicle driving and mechanics in partnership with
NGOs.
5. WhatsApp Chatbot for Skilling Program: VPPL has launched a dedicated
WhatsApp Chatbot to interact with the youth of Vadhavan, making it easier for
potential candidates to access information and register for the skilling program.Annexure II
The following initiatives will benefit the development of tribal, other rural and coastal
people of this region particularly in Palghar district and Maharashtra:
1. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (Tribal Development Mission)
2. Forests Rights & Livelihood Empowerment
3. TREE Programme (Tribal Rights Expansion & Empowerement)
4. Projects under MGNREGA
5. Zila Parishad’s Thakkar Bappa Tribal Settlement Programme
6. Coastal Community Skill Development of VPPL
7. Impact India’s Community Health Initiative (CHI)
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