September 16, 2025: The Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) has proposed reclaiming 4.14 hectares of sea at Jawahar Dweep, commonly known as Butcher Island, to construct additional crude oil storage facilities. The project, which requires clearance from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority, is aimed at improving turnaround times for vessels handling petroleum and chemical cargo.
Port officials stressed that the expansion is vital, as petroleum and liquid chemicals constitute nearly 70% of Mumbai Port’s total cargo. At present, crude oil unloaded at the port is transferred via pipelines to refineries in Mahul, but limited storage capacity has slowed operations.
Under the first phase, reclamation will require approximately three lakh cubic metres of soil, to be sourced from excavated material generated by the Mumbai Coastal Road tunnel project. The cost of the reclamation has been pegged at Rs 25 crore, with completion expected within two years. Officials believe the facility will enhance operational efficiency and further consolidate Mumbai Port’s position as India’s leading bulk cargo hub, which currently handles 8.61% of the country’s seaborne trade.
Environmental groups, however, have voiced strong objections. Activist D Stalin of the NGO Vanshakti argued that the port authority should first utilise its extensive tracts of unused land rather than reclaiming sections of the sea. “These actions will increase pressure on Mumbai’s shoreline and raise the risk of flooding,” he said.
Despite these concerns, MbPA has defended the proposal, stating that expansion is necessary to cater to the rising demand of public sector oil companies such as BPCL and HPCL, both of which depend heavily on Jawahar Dweep for crude imports.
The final decision now rests with the state’s coastal authority, which will assess the project’s environmental and developmental implications.
Source: Construction World
