Vadhavan port is a threat to the environment and livelihood of Palghar’s people: protesters

Thousands of protesters held a demonstration and began a “long march” on Monday (January 19, 2026), demanding the scrapping of the Maharashtra Government’s Vadhavan port project in the coastal town of Dahanu, in Palghar district. They also called for implementation of the Forest Rights Act, and rejected changes to the MNREGA scheme.

Organised by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the All India Kisan Sabha, the long march began from Charoti village in Dahanu; it will conclude at the collector’s office in Palghar on Tuesday (January 20, 2026).

“The Vadhavan port needs to be stopped because it will destroy the livelihood of people in Palghar, especially fisherfolk. We will continue protests, until our demands are accepted,” said Ashok Dhawale, National President of the All India Kisan Sabha. He also demanded that ownership of the land be returned to the tribals under the Forest Rights Act.

Dahanu Taluka Environmental Protection Authority (DTEPA) had refused clearance to the Vadhavan port. Another attempt was made to secure clearance in 2015, after the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Maharashtra Maritime Board signed an MOU to develop the port. At that point the, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorised ports as non-industrial operations, while the Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change (MoEF & CC) stated that port-related activities do not fall under the red category, clearing the way for the project.

CPI(M) Dahanu MLA Vinod Nikole, who took part in the protest, said, “If our demands are not fulfilled, then we will take it to Mumbai.” He highlighted that people are tired of hefty electricity bills. The administration must abandon smart meters and return to the old meters. “Smart meters are a means to privatise electricity, making it unaffordable. MNREGA should continue, and provide at least 200 days of employment in a year,” he added. 

Second protest

Another rally was organised by the Vadhavan Bunder Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti (VBVSS) in Palghar, from Panch Patti Chowk to the Collector’s office. The VBVSS represents local residents, farmers, tribals, and fisherfolk, who are opposed to the Vadhavan project.

In a letter to the collector, the VBVSS said the project was not just environmentally destructive, but also illegal under the law, since it violates the Dahanu Environmental Protection Authority (DTEPA) order of 1998. “The Supreme Court order clearly states that since Dahanu is an “eco-sensitive zone”, setting up a port here would be environmentally harmful. Besides, if the Vadhavan port is built, “the traditional fishing business of thousands of families will be destroyed.”

“We have been opposing the project for 30 years. The petition is being considered by the Supreme Court; how can Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claim that work is underway? This amounts to contempt of court,” said Vaibhav Vaze (52), Secretary of the VBVSS, who presented the letter to the Palghar collector. 

VBVSS also pointed out that during the Social and Environmental Impact Assessment, the objections raised by people in public hearings were “deliberately ignored”. The Social Impact Assessment does not present any concrete and legal plan for rehabilitation of fishermen, the letter said.