Narendra Modi is sitting in the chair of the Prime Minister of India for the third time in a row. Modi's cabinet has given clearance to several projects in the country after the formation of the government. Among them is the controversial Vadhavan port project in Maharashtra. On Wednesday (June 19), the Central Cabinet meeting approved the proposal to build an all-season 'greenfield deep draft port' at a cost of Tk 76,200 crore at Vadhavan in Palghar district of Maharashtra. Central Minister Ashwini Vaishnab said the project will be built by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) on 74 per cent and 26 percent stake respectively. The port will be one of the largest port projects in India. Ashwini said, "The port with nine terminals will be among the top 10 in the world. This project will create 12 lakh jobs.'' After getting approval for this port project, Modi also brought the issue to the attention of everyone by posting on his X (formerly Twitter) handle. Although the project was supposed to be implemented much earlier, the project was delayed due to environmental concerns. In particular, local residents rallied against the port project. Protests against the construction of the port have been going on for the past 25 years. The issue went to court. The High Court rejected the petition of ​​the locals. Currently the issue is pending in the Supreme Court. There was never a permanent port in this area. According to experts and locals, a company was set up here to generate electricity in the early nineties. Large quantities of coal were required for power generation. Coal came from Indonesia and Australia. Tons of coal used to come to Vadhavan village in big ships. Those ships were forced to stay six to seven kilometers from the main coast even though they came very close to the Vadhavan coast. Since then, the government started thinking of building Vadhavan port.

However, as soon as the idea became known, anger started among the locals. The protest was led by a 70-year-old man named Narayan Patil. The protestors' objection was that if the port is built in the area, it will create a major obstacle to the sea's movement. As a result, it may turn around and enter the village. Not only that, the main livelihood of the people of that area is fishing. Millions of people live by fishing. It was feared that the route might be closed when the port was built. The government has repeatedly tried to resolve the issue by talking to the villagers. It is assured that no one will be harmed if the port is built. Rather, employment will increase. Modi wrote in his post, “Cabinet has decided to build a big port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra. Through this the economic progress of our country will be considered. At the same time, this port will create employment opportunities on a large scale.

The Vadhavan Port will serve as a gateway port for India-West Asia-Europe Corridor and International North-South Transport Corridor. According to the government statement, the basic infrastructure, terminal and other commercial infrastructure development projects of this port will be developed on the basis of public-private partnership. The issue of establishing communication system with the port was also discussed in the cabinet meeting. A major road between the port and the national highway has been contemplated. Along with the construction of the port, the road will also be built. The issue of establishing communication system with the port was also discussed in the cabinet meeting. A major road between the port and the national highway has been contemplated. Along with the construction of the port, the road will also be built. Not only by road, but also by rail, communication system will be created with the port. A freight rail line is also being built. Ministry of Railways has been given that responsibility.

According to media sources, the government will invest 38 thousand crore rupees in this project. The Modi government wants to take the rest of the money from a private organization. That's why the auction will be done. Incidentally, assembly polls are due in Maharashtra within the next four months. Politicians also think that this project is a strategy of the government before the elections. However, when this port will be built and opened, the government has not given a glimpse of it.