Vadhavan port is a menace to the surroundings and livelihood of Palghar’s individuals: protesters

1000’s of protesters held an illustration and started a “lengthy march” on Monday (January 19, 2026), demanding the scrapping of the Maharashtra Authorities’s Vadhavan port challenge within the coastal city of Dahanu, in Palghar district. Additionally they referred to as for implementation of the Forest Rights Act, and rejected adjustments to the MNREGA scheme.

Organised by the Communist Get together of India (Marxist), and the All India Kisan Sabha, the lengthy march started from Charoti village in Dahanu; it is going to conclude on the collector’s workplace in Palghar on Tuesday (January 20, 2026).

“The Vadhavan port must be stopped as a result of it is going to destroy the livelihood of individuals in Palghar, particularly fisherfolk. We are going to proceed protests, till our calls for are accepted,” mentioned Ashok Dhawale, Nationwide President of the All India Kisan Sabha. He additionally demanded that possession of the land be returned to the tribals below the Forest Rights Act.

Dahanu Taluka Environmental Safety Authority (DTEPA) had refused clearance to the Vadhavan port. One other try was made to safe clearance in 2015, after the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Belief (JNPT) and Maharashtra Maritime Board signed an MOU to develop the port. At that time the, Central Air pollution Management Board (CPCB) categorised ports as non-industrial operations, whereas the Ministry of Surroundings and Forest & Local weather Change (MoEF & CC) said that port-related actions don’t fall below the purple class, clearing the way in which for the challenge.

CPI(M) Dahanu MLA Vinod Nikole, who took half within the protest, mentioned, “If our calls for usually are not fulfilled, then we’ll take it to Mumbai.” He highlighted that persons are bored with hefty electrical energy payments. The administration should abandon good meters and return to the previous meters. “Sensible meters are a method to privatise electrical energy, making it unaffordable. MNREGA ought to proceed, and supply not less than 200 days of employment in a yr,” he added.�

Second protest

One other rally was organised by the Vadhavan Bunder Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti (VBVSS) in Palghar, from Panch Patti Chowk to the Collector’s workplace. The VBVSS represents native residents, farmers, tribals, and fisherfolk, who’re against the Vadhavan challenge.

In a letter to the collector, the VBVSS mentioned the challenge was not simply environmentally harmful, but additionally unlawful below the legislation, because it violates the Dahanu Environmental Safety Authority (DTEPA) order of 1998. “The Supreme Courtroom order clearly states that since Dahanu is an “eco-sensitive zone”, organising a port right here could be environmentally dangerous. In addition to, if the Vadhavan port is constructed, “the normal fishing enterprise of hundreds of households shall be destroyed.”

“We’ve been opposing the challenge for 30 years. The petition is being thought of by the Supreme Courtroom; how can Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declare that work is underway? This quantities to contempt of court docket,” mentioned Vaibhav Vaze (52), Secretary of the VBVSS, who offered the letter to the Palghar collector.�

VBVSS additionally identified that through the Social and Environmental Influence Evaluation, the objections raised by individuals in public hearings had been “intentionally ignored”. The Social Influence Evaluation doesn’t current any concrete and authorized plan for rehabilitation of fishermen, the letter mentioned.