20,000 March Against Vadhavan Port, Warn of Ecological Disaster.

Vadhavan Port Protest: Palghar Residents Oppose Project Over Environment and Livelihood Threats

Around 20,000 residents across Palghar staged a massive protest against the proposed Vadhavan port, warning of irreversible environmental damage and loss of livelihoods. Farmers, fisherfolk, and tribal communities marched from Charoti to the collector’s office, demanding cancellation of the project, enforcement of the Forest Rights Act, protection of MNREGA, and respect for Supreme Court orders declaring Dahanu an eco-sensitive zone.

The protestors warned that the Vadhavan port project threatens the fragile coastal ecosystem and endangers fishing, farming, and tribal livelihoods across Dahanu and surrounding villages in Palghar district.

Thousands of demonstrators began a “long march” on Monday, demanding immediate scrapping of the port proposal along with implementation of the Forest Rights Act.

The march was organised by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the All India Kisan Sabha, reflecting growing grassroots opposition to large infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive regions.

The march commenced from Charoti village in Dahanu and is scheduled to culminate at the Palghar collector’s office on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Participants included farmers, fisherfolk, tribal families, and environmental activists, many of whom have opposed the port project consistently for over three decades.

Protest leaders alleged that the state government is prioritising corporate interests over environmental safeguards and constitutional protections for indigenous communities.

Farmers and Fisherfolk Warn of Livelihood Collapse

Addressing protestors, All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Dhawale said the Vadhavan port must be halted to protect Palghar’s traditional fishing economy.

He warned that thousands of fishing families would lose access to coastal waters, fish breeding grounds, and shore-based livelihoods if port construction proceeds.

Dhawale also demanded restoration of land ownership rights for tribal communities under the Forest Rights Act, accusing authorities of deliberate delays and neglect.

Protestors further opposed proposed changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, demanding at least 200 days of guaranteed annual employment.

CPI(M) MLA from Dahanu, Vinod Nikole, who joined the march, warned of wider statewide protests if the government ignored local opposition.

Nikole criticised the installation of smart electricity meters, claiming they increase power bills and promote privatisation of electricity supply.

He demanded immediate rollback of smart meters and restoration of traditional metering systems to protect low-income rural households.

“If our demands are ignored, we will take this protest to Mumbai,” Nikole said, signalling potential escalation.

Environmental Clearances and Legal Challenges Under Scrutiny

The Dahanu Taluka Environmental Protection Authority had earlier denied clearance to the Vadhavan port, citing irreversible environmental risks.

Despite this, another attempt to revive the project was made in 2015 after the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Maharashtra Maritime Board signed a memorandum.

At that stage, regulatory classifications changed, with ports categorised as non-industrial operations by the Central Pollution Control Board.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change later stated that port activities do not fall under the red category, enabling project revival.

Environmentalists argue these regulatory changes diluted protections for Dahanu, which is officially recognised as an eco-sensitive zone.

They allege the reclassification ignored long-standing judicial safeguards established specifically to protect the region’s biodiversity.

Also Read: Big Blow for SRS Group as Court Declares Promoters Fugitives.

Local Groups Cite Supreme Court Orders and Legal Violations

A separate rally was organised by the Vadhavan Bunder Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, marching from Panch Patti Chowk to the Palghar collector’s office.

The VBVSS represents local farmers, tribals, and fisherfolk who argue the port project violates environmental law and Supreme Court directives.

In a formal letter to the collector, the group stated the project breaches the Dahanu Environmental Protection Authority order issued in 1998.

The letter cited Supreme Court observations declaring Dahanu an eco-sensitive zone where large ports would cause irreversible ecological harm.

VBVSS Secretary Vaibhav Vaze questioned how project work could proceed while the matter remains under consideration before the Supreme Court.

“This amounts to contempt of court,” Vaze said, highlighting that objections raised during public hearings were allegedly ignored.

The group also stated that the Social Impact Assessment lacks any concrete or lawful rehabilitation plan for affected fishing communities.

Sprouts News has consistently reported on community resistance, legal disputes, and environmental concerns surrounding the Vadhavan port project.

As protests intensify, the confrontation underscores the broader conflict between large-scale infrastructure development and environmental justice in coastal Maharashtra.

How Our Team Exposed the Government’s Bad Policy on the Port

Sprouts News consistently opposed the Vadhavan Port project, exposing flawed government policy through sustained investigation. Senior journalist Unmesh Gujarathi led reporting that highlighted environmental risks, legal violations, and ignored public objections, publishing numerous articles that questioned policy intent, transparency, and long-term consequences for Palghar’s communities and coastal livelihoods sustainability.