Lok Sabha Question No. 5536 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Ports in Maharashtra
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Tatkare Sunil Dattatrey

## 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:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (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) and the  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 PublicPrivate 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.

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