Maharashtra Maritime Board is planning Rs.500 crore on four minor port sites depending upon the traffic flow. This is being done primarily to take the share of the surplus cargo traffic in the major ports viz JNPT and MPT.

The four sites identified for small port development were at Wadhavan in Thane district, Redi in Sindhudurg district, Vijaydurg in Sindhudrug district and Jaigad in Ratnagiri district.

Wadhavan is located 60 nautical miles north of Mumbai, nearest ports-Mumbai and Pipavav, has a 10 metre contour about one km from shore. Rail linkage is at 10 km. while road connectivity is with NH-8, located 28 km. from the port and will handle liquid cargo.

Redi is located 205 nautical miles south of Mumbai, 25 nautical miles north of Mormugao Port to have a draft of three metre with 10 metre Contour about 0.65 km from shore. rail linkage at 20 km. road connectivity with NH-17 at 35 km. and cargo to be handled are mainly iron ore, bauxite, coal and finished products.

Vijaydurg is located 150 nautical miles south of Mumbai, will have a draft of 3 metre 10 metre and 20 metre contour at 0.9 km and 3 km from shore. The rail linkage is at 60 km., road connectivity with NH-17 at 55 km. Cargo will be mainly dry bulk and liquid.

Jaigad located 110 nautical miles of Mumbai would have a draft of three metre. Naer to it are two more sites Langam and Dharamkol Bay with drafts of three and seven metre respectively. These ports will manage commodities like coal, ore and bauxite.

The choices of these ports provide the opportunity for balanced development along the coast, since they stretch from the northern section of the state all the way to the southern half.

The development will be with private participation and on a BOOST basis, with the MMB providing consultancy services, a regulatory framework and administrative control.