Vadhvan Port Project gets Mining License for Offshore Sand Reclamation

03 Mar 2025 CW Team

The reclamation process involves dredging 200 million cubic metres of sand from a designated offshore area located 60 km from the project site and 50 km off the coast of Daman. To support this initiative, the ministry has reserved 10,277.1 hectares (102.77 sq. km) for sand extraction. A detailed study conducted by IIT Madras, including borehole testing and sample analysis, confirmed the suitability of the sand for reclamation purposes.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) had submitted an application for the licence in October 2023. In response, the Ministry of Mines reserved the designated area for VPPL and issued a 10-year mining licence under the Offshore Area Mineral (Development & Regulations) Act 2006. The official letter of intent was handed over during a formal event attended by senior government officials and ministers.

The cost of procuring 200 million cubic metres of sand from land sources is estimated at Rs 120 billion, including Rs 14.40 billion in royalties to the Union government. However, by sourcing sand from offshore reserves, the project is expected to reduce costs by approximately Rs 60 billion. Offshore mining is also considered to have a lower environmental impact compared to land-based extraction, making it a more sustainable approach.

Vadhavan Port is poised to become India’s 13th major container port and the largest in terms of capacity. Developed under the landlord model, it will feature terminals constructed through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). Approved by the Union Cabinet on June 19, 2024, the port will be built in two phases. Designed for seamless connectivity to key hinterlands, its all-weather deep-draft infrastructure is expected to strengthen India’s maritime economy under the Sagarmala initiative.

News source: The Print

Vadhavan Port Project (VPPL) has secured a mining licence for offshore sand reclamation, marking a significant step towards the development of the greenfield port in Palghar district. The licence, issued by the Ministry of Mines, will facilitate the creation of 1,448 hectares of reclaimed land in the sea, a crucial requirement for the port’s construction. The reclamation process involves dredging 200 million cubic metres of sand from a designated offshore area located 60 km from the project site and 50 km off the coast of Daman. To support this initiative, the ministry has reserved 10,277.1 hectares (102.77 sq. km) for sand extraction. A detailed study conducted by IIT Madras, including borehole testing and sample analysis, confirmed the suitability of the sand for reclamation purposes. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) had submitted an application for the licence in October 2023. In response, the Ministry of Mines reserved the designated area for VPPL and issued a 10-year mining licence under the Offshore Area Mineral (Development & Regulations) Act 2006. The official letter of intent was handed over during a formal event attended by senior government officials and ministers. The cost of procuring 200 million cubic metres of sand from land sources is estimated at Rs 120 billion, including Rs 14.40 billion in royalties to the Union government. However, by sourcing sand from offshore reserves, the project is expected to reduce costs by approximately Rs 60 billion. Offshore mining is also considered to have a lower environmental impact compared to land-based extraction, making it a more sustainable approach. Vadhavan Port is poised to become India’s 13th major container port and the largest in terms of capacity. Developed under the landlord model, it will feature terminals constructed through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). Approved by the Union Cabinet on June 19, 2024, the port will be built in two phases. Designed for seamless connectivity to key hinterlands, its all-weather deep-draft infrastructure is expected to strengthen India’s maritime economy under the Sagarmala initiative. News source: The Print

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Suraj Estate Wins Euromoney Award for India’s Best Residential Developer

"Suraj Estate Developers Limited has received the Euromoney Real Estate Award 2025 for ‘India’s Best Residential Developer’, positioning the company among globally benchmarked leaders in the sector. The recognition reflects its four-decade legacy in delivering high-quality residential and redevelopment-led projects across South Central Mumbai. The Euromoney Real Estate Awards, presented by the London-based Euromoney magazine, are widely regarded as one of the most credible global assessments of performance in real estate, banking and finance. Winners are selected through surveys of inte..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Lloyds Metals, Tata Steel Sign MoU to Explore Strategic Collaboration

"Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Steel Limited to evaluate potential areas of strategic cooperation across mining, logistics, pelletisation and steelmaking. The MoU was signed by B Prabhakaran, Managing Director of Lloyds Metals, and Mr T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel. The partnership framework aims to leverage the natural operational synergies between both companies and assess opportunities in greenfield steel projects, iron ore mining, slurry pipeline infrastructure, pellet manufacturing in iron ore–ric..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

IndiaAI, Gujarat Govt Host Regional Conclave Ahead of 2026 AI Summit

The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar, convened a Regional Pre-Summit Event at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The initiative is part of the build-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 15–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave brought together senior policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and industry practitioners to examine how AI can accelerate economic, digital and social transformation across sectors. The programme focused on the overarching th..