Will Vadhavan Port Create Jobs for Locals? JNPT Silent.

Unmesh Gujarathi

Sprouts News Exclusive

The mega Vadhavan Port project being developed in Palghar continues to stir controversy, as concerns grow about the future of the local fishing community and job opportunities for the sons of the soil. In a shocking revelation, JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) has failed to respond to a Right to Information (RTI) query asking for clarity on local employment in the project—raising serious questions about transparency and intent.

Sprouts News has learned that several local youths are being lured with promises of jobs through various training programs initiated by Vadhavan Port Project Limited. While applications are being collected and training sessions are being held in villages around the proposed port area, there is still no official word on how many jobs will be offered, how many will be permanent, and how many part-time.

Environmental activist Bhushan Bhoir, who filed the RTI on March 19, received an ambiguous response from JNPT on March 28—offering no clear answers. This lack of transparency has only deepened suspicions that the training programs may be a mere tactic to pacify local opposition to the project.

When contacted by Sprouts News, JNPT’s Public Relations Officer, Ambika Singh, declined to comment on the matter, adding to the growing frustration among local youth. “Educated young people are lining up for hours with hope, but no one is telling them the truth,” said one local applicant.

Palghar residents have warned that if the government continues to trample on local interests under the guise of development, there could be widespread unrest. As Sprouts News continues to follow this developing story, the key question remains unanswered: Will the real sons of the soil get their due, or are they being sidelined once again?

•Displacement of Fishing Communities: Thousands of traditional fishermen in Palghar fear losing their livelihoods due to the construction of the port. The area where the port is planned is a major fishing zone.

•Lack of Employment Assurance: Despite promises, there is no clear commitment from authorities like JNPT on how many local people will be given jobs in the project. Many believe the training programs are just a tactic to calm opposition.

•Environmental Concerns: Environmentalists argue that the port will cause large-scale ecological damage, including destruction of mangroves and marine biodiversity, directly affecting the coastal ecosystem and the fishing industry.

•Transparency Issues: JNPT has not provided satisfactory responses to Right to Information (RTI) queries, raising concerns about the transparency of the project planning and execution.

•Broken Trust: Local youth are being made to fill out job forms and attend training, but with no job guarantee, it’s creating a sense of betrayal among the community.

•Political and Corporate Pressure: There are allegations that the project is being pushed forward under political and corporate influence, without genuine public consultation or consent from the local population.