Villagers protest against technical survey for Vadhavan port project in Palghar district
Palghar: A section of villagers on Wednesday protested against a technical survey being conducted at the site of the proposed deep seaport at Vadhvan in Palghar district of Maharashtra, claiming the project would snatch their livelihood.
A police officer, however, claimed the survey was called off due to inclement weather and rain and not because of demonstration.
A video of the villagers from Vadhavan and surrounding hamlets carrying banners demanding the cancellation of the project has gone viral. The protesters, most of whom depend on the sea for their livelihoods, expressed concerns about their displacement due to the project.
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"ITDC (agency) had undertaken a technical survey using a drone to access the low and high tides for environmental reports," a local official said.
Boisar sub-divisional police officer Vikas Naik said the technical survey had to be called off due to the inclement weather and rain. "There was no agitation at the site. Some people had come to the spot to enquire about the activity. They dispersed peacefully after police and officials explained to them about the ongoing work," he said.
The development of a Rs 76,200 crore all-weather greenfield deep draft major Port at Vadhavan was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2024. The project will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited, an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and Maharashtra Maritime Board, with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively.
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