Umargaon port remains a dream for industries in Vapi, adjoining areas

The proposed port would help 9,000 industrial units in Vapi and adjoining areas

The industries in Vapi and Dadra & Nagar Haveli (D&NH) are still waiting for the ambitious project of Umargaon sea port in Valsad to take off.

The project was to be commissioned in 2000, but till now no development has taken place. Once the port comes alive, industrialists believe it would provide a big boost to industries based in south Gujarat.

At present, nearly 95 per cent of the container traffic from Vapi, Silvassa and Daman are Mumbai-bound.

However, in the process of lessening dependency on the Mumbai port, industrialists and industry associations in the region are keenly awaiting the setting up of the port at Umargaon, which will be very close to their units.

"The government had taken up this project four years back, but we are completely unaware what is happening there now," said Sharad Thakar, secretary, Vapi Industries Association (VIA).

"With this port, we expect more industries to set up their units in the Vapi industrial estate. We are dependent on Nhava Sheva in Mumbai for exports. Once we get the Umargaon port, we will be able to save on time, freight charges resulting in benefits for industries," Thakar added.

Heavy containers have to move a distance of more than 200 km to reach Mumbai, which will be brought down to as low as 30 km after the new port becomes functional.

"Having such a port would be a great help to the industries in the region. When our emptied containers return from Mumbai, it adds to our expenses. Cutting short the distance by almost more than 160 km will help us save money and give a boost to exports," said Rajan Aggarwal, president, Dadra & Nagar Haveli Manufacturers' Association.

However, he too showed ignorance about the current developments about the port. There are around 9,000 industries in Daman, D&NH, Vapi, Pardi, Umargaon, Navsari and Ankleshwar.