In a public hearing in October 2025, over 9,000 villagers from Palghar district submitted 8,000 objections to the Murbe Port project. Despite this, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) approved it in January 2026, triggering fresh protests with thousands gathering outside Palghar Collector's office.
Community members, including fisherfolk, tribal families, and farmers, raised concerns over their livelihood, claiming that the project could destroy fish‑spawning grounds, change fishing patterns, and increase pressure on coastal resources.
The port, a Rs 4,259 crore greenfield, all-weather multi-cargo project developed by JSW Infrastructure, will feature 16 berths with 134.07 MTPA capacity to handle bulk, container, and liquid cargo. The project requires reclamation of approximately 1,065 acres from the Arabian Sea. Since the project is located in the Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ), it is required to obtain the environmental and CRZ clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
**EIA report fails to highlight local concerns **
Fisherfolk say the draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report failed to mention the presence of mangroves in the area and did not properly capture how dredging and reclamation would affect marine life. Dredging is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbours, and other water bodies. They also claimed that the project is very close to the Tarapur Atomic Power Station, which could make the region a risk‑intensive industrial‑nuclear zone with weak disaster planning.
Compensatory mangrove plantations
Adivasi families and small landowners fear that the port‑linked infrastructure and rising land values will slowly push them out, even though the project officially uses reclamation and not direct farmland acquisition. In addition, the project will require the removal of up to 4,859 mangroves, which could damage the fragile coastal ecosystem. Even though the MCZMA stated that compensatory mangrove plantation will be undertaken in coordination with the state government’s mangrove cell, residents remain wary.
Strategic importance
Villagers also questioned the need to build a port just 40 km away from the massive, government-backed Vadhavan Port project. However, the state government maintained that the Murbe port is of strategic importance for strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure, particularly on the west coast.
Maharashtra’s Minister of Ports Development, Nitesh Rane, stated, “This project was approved by the earlier government [under Eknath Shinde] and has been given a nod by the MCZMA now. It will be sent to the Centre for the final nod.” The port is awaiting final environmental clearance from the MoEFCC, which is mandatory for sensitive coastal areas. However, JSW has started to mobilise investments, raising concerns amongst residents about the credibility of the clearance process.
Residents have come together to form the Murbe Bandar Virodhi Sangarsh Samiti, which has organised multiple protests. On 19 January 2026, the Murbe Bandar Virodhi Sangarsh Samiti, along with Vadhvan Bandar Virodhi Sangarsh Samiti (a coalition of organisations opposing the Vadhvan Port project), protested outside the Collector's office. The protest attracted more than 25,000 people demanding the cancellation of both the ports and multiple other destructive projects.
This protest was followed by another protest in Azad Maidan, Mumbai, on 23 March. Despite the large-scale resistance of people against the two projects, the government is committed to developing the two projects.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to cancel the project
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project underway despite protests
Original Project Deadline
2032
Whether the Project has been Delayed
No
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Agricultural land, Dwelling/habitation use, Water bodies, Other natural resource collection/dependence
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
No
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
4259
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2025
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Environmental Law, Environmental Law, Case Laws, Case Laws
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Violation of environmental laws
Violation of fundamental rights
Violation / Dilution / Non-implementation of CRZ Notification
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
No
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Maharashtra Maritime Board
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
JSW Infrastructure Limited
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Shubham is a housing rights activist based in Mumbai. He has a post graduate from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai in urban policy and governance.
