The Vadhavan Port, a deep-draft port located on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), is projected to enhance India’s container handling capacity by 23.2 million TEUs. This new Port development is set to elevate India’s position within global maritime hubs.

A list of Key Agreements and details of skilling programme are mentioned below:

1. Vadhavan Port Project Ltd (VPPL) and Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between VPPL and YCMOU.
2. JNPA and Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping): An MoU has been signed to provide skill development training to locals and project-affected people in the Vadhavan region through selected Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs).
3. VPPL and Sahyadri Farms: A strategic MoU has been forged between VPPL and Sahyadri Farms, aimed at invigorating rural entrepreneurship and fortifying the agri- value chain.
4. Collaboration with NGOs for Heavy Vehicle Driving and Mechanics: Training programs are ongoing for heavy vehicle driving and mechanics in partnership with NGOs.
5. WhatsApp Chatbot for Skilling Program: VPPL has launched a dedicated WhatsApp Chatbot to interact with the youth of Vadhavan, making it easier for potential candidates to access information and register for the skilling program.

The following initiatives will benefit the development of tribal, other rural and coastal people of this region particularly in Palghar district and Maharashtra:

1. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (Tribal Development Mission)
2. Forests Rights & Livelihood Empowerment
3. TREE Programme (Tribal Rights Expansion & Empowerement)
4. Projects under MGNREGA
5. Zila Parishad’s Thakkar Bappa Tribal Settlement Programme
6. Coastal Community Skill Development of VPPL
7. Impact India’s Community Health Initiative (CHI)

This information was given by the Union Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in written reply to the Lok Sabha.

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SR/GDH/SJ/HK

(Release ID: 2148284)