Palghar, Maharashtra: A meeting was convened at the Dahanu Sub-Divisional Office to address concerns surrounding the drone survey for the proposed Vadhavan Port project. While the survey, conducted by ITD Company, faced initial resistance from some locals along the Vadhavan coastline, it was ultimately completed successfully.
The meeting was initiated at the request of protestors to provide clarity on the project and to hear their grievances. Key officials present included Dahanu Assistant Collector Vishal Khatri, Deputy Collector Mahesh Sagar from the District Collector’s Office, Sub-Divisional Police Officers Vikas Naik and Mrs. Kanse, and Assistant Police Inspector Pachpute. Representatives from affected villages such as Varor, Dhakati Dahanu, and Chinchani attended, alongside gram panchayat members Kunal Raut and Aniket Patil, and fishermen community members Ganesh Mardhe and Ketan Davne.
Vivek Kulkarni from Building Environment Construction Company, responsible for the compensation assessment survey, was also present and shared details about the process.
During the discussion, local residents pressed for fair compensation for land acquired for the proposed Vadhavan Greenfield Expressway under NHAI. They also emphasized that employment opportunities at the port should prioritize locals, advocating for skill development training to equip them for these roles.
Deputy Collector Mahesh Sagar assured attendees that JNPT has already committed to local employment prioritization. He also stated that all concerns and demands raised during the meeting would be forwarded to the relevant government departments.
A significant point of discussion was the need for a structured compensation policy for fishermen who may be affected by the project. Officials indicated that the ongoing survey is a crucial step towards developing this policy.
Interestingly, the protestors who initially called for the meeting did not attend. Nevertheless, authorities proceeded with the discussions, highlighting their dedication to transparency and responsiveness. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to seriously addressing the concerns of the citizens present with JNPT and the state government.
