The Maharashtra government is preparing to develop four ports along the Konkan coastline, aiming to generate substantial revenue by shifting towards a model in which the state owns and operates port facilities, Ports Minister Nitesh Rane said on Thursday.
The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) is currently preparing the proposal, under which one port will be established in each of the four coastal districts of Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. The initiative forms part of the state’s broader Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision.
The proposed strategy marks a departure from the existing arrangement, under which the government leases coastal land to private companies that develop and operate ports. Under this system, the state earns royalties while private operators handle port infrastructure and logistics activities.
According to Rane, the Maharashtra ports department currently receives approximately Rs 250 crore annually in royalties from 48 non-major ports and jetties operating across the state.
The minister said the proposed government-led projects could significantly increase these earnings.
“Primary estimates indicate the government could earn nearly Rs 5,000 crore from these projects, turning the department into a major revenue generator for the state,” he said.
By developing and managing the facilities itself, the government aims to strengthen its revenue base and play a more direct role in the state’s maritime infrastructure and port operations. However, the projects remain at the planning stage, with the MMB working on the details.
Maharashtra is also involved in the development of Vadhvan Port near Dahanu in Palghar district. The state holds a 26% stake in the Rs 76,000-crore project, which began construction in August 2024 and is expected to be completed by 2030.
Vadhvan Port is anticipated to become an important source of non-tax revenue for Maharashtra. Together, the proposed Konkan ports and major infrastructure investments could expand the state’s maritime capacity and strengthen its role in coastal trade and logistics.
Source: Hindustan Times
