₹800 Cr JNPT Dredging Scam Busted
• CBI Targets Ex-Port Official, Private Firms
• Nhava Sheva Project Under Corruption Lens
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
The CBI has launched a probe into an ₹800 crore dredging scam at JNPT, involving a former port official and private firms. Irregular payments were allegedly made for over-dredging at Nhava Sheva despite no work being done. Raids in Mumbai and Chennai have yielded crucial documents and digital evidence.
Former Port Official and Private Firms Under Scanner in Nhava Sheva Project
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against the former Chief Manager of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), along with multiple private companies and individuals. The case, filed on June 18, alleges a criminal conspiracy resulting in a financial loss of over ₹800 crore to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
According to official sources cited by ANI, the scam relates to alleged irregularities during the awarding and execution of contracts for capital dredging work at the Nhava Sheva port in Mumbai. This project was intended to deepen the navigational channel to accommodate larger container vessels.
Capital Dredging Contract Under Scrutiny
Private Consortium and Consultant Firm Implicated
The contract in question was awarded to a consortium of two private companies—one headquartered in Mumbai and the other in Chennai. These firms were engaged to undertake the capital dredging project, a strategic infrastructure upgrade to increase navigational depth.
A third party, a private consulting firm, was appointed as the project management consultant by JNPA to oversee execution. However, CBI has alleged that oversight mechanisms were compromised, resulting in excessive payments being made during both Phase-I and Phase-II of the project.
Over-Dredging Claims Lead to ₹803.9 Crore Loss
JNPA Accused of Approving Excessive Payments
The CBI’s preliminary findings reveal that JNPA disbursed ₹365.90 crore in Phase-I of the project based on unverified claims of over-dredging. Strikingly, during Phase-II—which overlapped with the maintenance period of the previous phase—an additional ₹438 crore was paid to contractors.
However, official records indicated no actual over-dredging had taken place during the earlier phase. This dual disbursement, based on flawed or misleading documentation, constitutes the financial core of the alleged scam.
Also Read: Mumbai Safa High School Sparks Uproar Over Forced Student Evictions.
CBI Raids in Mumbai and Chennai Yield Crucial Evidence
Documents, Digital Records, and Investment Trails Seized
Acting on intelligence and preliminary evidence, CBI teams conducted searches at five strategic locations across Mumbai and Chennai. These included the residences of JNPA officials, offices of the project consultant, and premises linked to the private contracting firms.
Sources in the investigation confirmed that several critical documents related to project execution, digital communications, and financial investment records of public officials have been seized for forensic analysis.
Sprouts News Investigation Highlights Deepening Crisis in Maritime Procurement
Urgent Need for Reforms in Port Project Oversight
Sprouts News has been consistently reporting on large-scale procurement anomalies in critical infrastructure sectors. The JNPT dredging scam adds to the growing list of allegations that point toward systemic vulnerabilities in public-private port development partnerships.
The magnitude of the ₹800+ crore financial loss raises serious concerns about internal audit, project validation, and consultant oversight. Stakeholders are now calling for stricter compliance, performance audits, and institutional accountability in major maritime infrastructure tenders.
