Palghar, Maharashtra: The conflict against the proposed Vadhavan deep seaport project has reignited, with local villagers fiercely opposing a technical drone survey initiated by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) at the Vadhavan coastline.
The survey was reportedly halted due to the intense and unified resistance from the community, who fear the ambitious project will snatch their livelihoods. A police officer, however, claimed the survey was called off due to inclement weather and rain and not because of demonstration.
On Wednesday morning, a private company, ITDCG, commissioned by JNPA, began a drone survey at the Vadhavan seashore. The survey aimed to study high tide waves for environmental reports. Despite a significant police presence deployed at the site, villagers alleged that no official prior notice had been given to the Gram Panchayat, nor had the local populace been taken into confidence.
Upon learning of the covertly conducted survey, which they deemed a blatant violation of democratic principles, villagers immediately rushed to the site. A group from Vadhavan and surrounding hamlets converged, carrying banners demanding the cancellation of the project.
Groups including the Vadhavan Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti and Yuva Sangharsh Samiti, along with local residents, aggressively confronted the survey team, forcing them to cease operations. A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media.
A local official confirmed that ITDC (agency) had undertaken a technical survey using a drone to access the low and high tides for environmental reports.
During the confrontation, villagers accused the police of misleading them by falsely claiming that the survey had Supreme Court permission. This assertion created a tense atmosphere in the area for some time. Police attempted to bring the situation under control, but villagers maintained that they were deceived by the authorities' false statements regarding judicial approval.
Boisar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vikas Naik, however, stated that the technical survey had to be called off due to inclement weather and rain, not due to the demonstration.
He added, "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."
This protest adds to long-standing concerns among the local populace, many of whom depend on the sea for their livelihoods. They fear displacement and a loss of traditional occupations if the ambitious ₹76,200 crore all-weather greenfield deep draft major Port project proceeds.
The development of the port at Vadhavan was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2024. It is slated to be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed by JNPA and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with a 74 percent and 26 percent shareholding, respectively. Upon completion, the port is expected to rank among the top 10 ports globally.
Notably, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has previously vowed to scrap the project, labeling it environmentally destructive.
