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Forest land diversion approved for 237 ha for Vadhavan port–NH 48 highway
Authorities cleared the diversion of 237 hectares of forest land for an eight-lane highway linking the under-construction Vadhavan port to NH 48, as part of a larger port connectivity plan. The decision follows a March meeting, with subsequent land acquisitions and a related four-lane LOA awarded in May 2026.
Why It Matters
The decision reduces green cover and affects thousands of people and habitats, while enabling expanded port connectivity and potential economic benefits. It highlights tensions between infrastructure growth and environmental protection.
Timeline
4 Events
NHAI issues Letter of Award for first part of project
May 6, 2026
The National Highways Authority of India issued a Letter of Award for the construction of the first part, a four-lane expressway, to J Kumar Infraprojects Limited and Shinde Developers Pvt Ltd, for ₹2,360 crore. The four-lane corridor is expandable to eight lanes in the future.
Land acquisition cleared and project costs outlined for Palghar and Dahanu
April 2026
Revenue authorities in Palghar cleared land acquisition for the highway. Project impact includes 611 homes to be demolished overall, with 573 houses and other structures to be razed in Palghar taluka and 38 homes in Dahanu taluka. Compensation totals include ₹197.07 crore for Palghar PAPs and ₹37.93 crore for Dahanu PAPs. The affected area includes 5,214 persons in Dahanu and 244.18 hectares of land; the highway will traverse through Dahanu and Palghar talukas. Palghar villages listed as affected include Aakegavhan, Aakoli, Chinchare, Ravte, Gargaon, Sumdi, Shigaon, Khutad, Rani Shigaon, Nanivali and Ambede; Dahanu villages include Vangaon, Ghol, Kolhan, Tawar, Dhamante, Kolavali, Varor, Chinchni, Bawde and Tanashi.
Forest land diversion cleared by MoEFCC Regional Empowered Committee in Nagpur
March 2026
Minutes from a March meeting of the Regional Empowered Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change in Nagpur show that 237.09 hectares of forest land would be diverted for the project, out of a total 606.63 hectares required (237.09 ha forest and 369.54 ha non-forest). The forest land includes 13.76 hectares of private forest land and 9.25 hectares of mangrove area. The nearest protected area is Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, about 37 km away. The diverted forest area contains about 29,923 trees (predominantly teak, khair and shisham); the environmental toll includes 72,790 trees, 21 ponds and 209 wells/borewells to be destroyed. Compensatory afforestation on 475 hectares across 19 patches within Dhule division was proposed.
Proposal submitted for eight-lane highway connecting Vadhavan port to NH 48
February 24, 2026
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) submitted a proposal on February 24, 2026 for an eight-lane highway to connect the Vadhavan port with National Highway 48, with planned connectivity to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE4).