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In a major push for India's port infrastructure, Vir S. Advani, Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Western Region and Chairman & Managing Director of Blue Star Ltd, highlighted the transformative potential of the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra, calling it a long-overdue greenfield project essential to overcoming capacity bottlenecks at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
"We are going to have a second major port in Maharashtra alongside JNPA. As you know, while JNPA is good, it is not enough for manufacturing in India--we need much more port capacity in the country. We are very happy with Vadhavan Port, a Rs 76,000 crore project that has been under consideration for several decades," Advani stated while speaking with ANI News on Friday on the sidelines of the CII 7th Global Trade Scenario Conclave in Mumbai. "Vadhavan is a greenfield project, which allows for proper physical infrastructure planning. Multimodal transport--rail, road, and air--is being planned into and out of Vadhavan, so the physical congestion seen at JNPA should not be repeated. When it comes to port operations and efficiency, through the use of technology, I am confident Vadhavan will be much more efficient," Advani added. He also addressed potential challenges arising from shifting geopolitical dynamics and foreign trade policies, particularly regarding US sanctions and the economic stance of Donald Trump. Acknowledging that potential US tariffs and trade sanctions on nations like Iran could create friction for international markets, Advani expressed strong confidence in the resilience of Indian industry and government policy. "Exporters in India have navigated tricky and complex international situations in the past, and I am confident that both our industry and the Government of India have the capability to effectively manage these global developments," the CII Western Region Chairman said. He emphasised that building resilient supply chains remains a pivotal mandate for Indian companies aiming to enhance global competitiveness. "Global trade dynamics are undergoing significant transformations, and India stands at a crucial juncture where building resilient supply chains and unlocking new trade opportunities will define our economic trajectory," he said. He pointed out that the ongoing modernisation of trade logistics, digital trade frameworks, and major infrastructure initiatives across coastal hubs will act as primary catalysts in driving sustainable economic expansion. He added that domestic sectors are rapidly adapting to global standards in sustainability and regulatory compliance to seamlessly integrate into international value networks. "The focus must remain on fostering stronger trade diplomacy, enhancing financial connectivity, and encouraging sustainable practices to ensure that Indian businesses can effectively navigate uncertainties and secure long-term growth on the world stage," Advani said. The 7th edition of the flagship CII Global Trade Scenario Conclave in Mumbai brought together diplomats, financial institutions, and trade experts to deliberate on strategies for navigating geopolitical shifts and expanding India's export footprint. Even participants echoed the sentiment that robust policy frameworks paired with private sector agility will be critical to positioning India as an indispensable hub for global trade. (ANI)
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