Vadhvan Port Project Sees Three-Month Extension in HAM Tender Submission.

Vadhvan Port Project Ltd (VPPL) has extended the bid submission deadline for the ₹22,323.47-crore Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) contract for offshore reclamation, dredging, and construction of the port’s protective bund by three months, now due on May 18. The delay comes as statutory processes for land acquisition for road and rail connectivity to the port continue.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma outlined that the award for land acquisition is expected soon, though taking possession will require additional time. The 32-km highway linking NH 48 (Tawa Junction) to the planned port has been notified as a national highway to facilitate this process, with acquisition costs being borne by VPPL. Officials noted the approach road is crucial for transporting heavy materials, without which construction cannot begin.

The mega-port project comprises three major components: near-shore reclamation with supporting infrastructure, the breakwater—India’s longest for a port—and offshore reclamation for the main port area. Near-shore reclamation was awarded in December 2024 to Cemindia Projects Limited (formerly ITD Cementation India Ltd), though work is limited to pre-construction surveys until land access is granted.

Breakwater construction has four bidders, but financial bids will be opened only after receiving central security clearance. The largest HAM component—dredging, offshore reclamation, and construction of the protective bund—cannot start until the breakwater reaches 40–50% completion to provide wave protection. Officials warned that awarding the contract prematurely could lead to idle work, cost escalations, and arbitration risks.

VPPL, a joint venture between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (74%) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (26%), is implementing India’s largest public port project, with a projected capacity of 298 million tonnes of cargo annually, including 23.2 million TEUs. The port is expected to commence operations by 2029–30, though experts note significant challenges remain.

The project’s scale and phased construction underscore the critical role of connectivity, protective structures, and coordinated execution for India’s next-generation maritime infrastructure.