The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a petition filed by certain local companies against the Vadhvan Port.
This has paved the way for the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to continue developing the ambitious project in Maharashtra's Palghar, which is set to become India's 13th major port, and one of its largest greenfield mega ports.
After studying the JNPA's development schedule for the Rs 76,220 crore project, as well as an order dated February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition for interim relief sought by the petitioners.
Notably, the petitioners' interim relief appeal was in the form of restraining orders on any work related to the port, which had temporarily paused the JNPA's development activities.
"We remain deeply committed to the well-being of local residents, striving to create an ecosystem where growth and harmony coexist, and where the benefits of progress are shared inclusively and sustainably," said JNPA Chairperson and Vadhvan Port Project Ltd (VPPL) CMD Unmesh Sharad Wagh, as per a Maritime Gateway report.
Wagh also praised the SC order, highlighting the importance of the Vadhvan Port in India's maritime vision. Calling it an "emblem of progress", he reiterated how the new port would "connect the nation’s western coast with the world’s trade arteries".
The work at Vadhvan Port, located in Dahanu Taluka, has officially commenced. This marks the first step towards a brighter future.
— Vadhvan Port Project Ltd. (@VadhvanPort) October 13, 2025
Vadhvan Port is set to be one of India’s largest greenfield mega ports, designed to strengthen the nation’s maritime capabilities and place India… pic.twitter.com/Nc3Ss2b0oe
The apex court has also observed that acquisition proceedings and other related steps in the development of the Vadhvan Port would remain subject to further orders in the pending petitions.
The port, which is being developed jointly between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), promises to be an extremely energy-efficient port, with a planned capacity of more than 20 million TEUs of cargo.
