The Vadhvan port drilling attempt on October 11 led to dramatic protests in the Vasai region, where angry locals clashed with police and company officials. Tensions escalated when ITD Cementation India Limited tried to conduct a drilling survey at dawn, backed by a heavy police presence.

Chanting slogans like “Sarkar humse darti hai, police ko aage karti hai,” villagers blocked the survey, accusing the government of using police force against its own people. During the confrontation, verbal clashes erupted, and one company officer was allegedly pushed by protestors.

Villagers Block Survey, Raise Strong Objection

For weeks, preparations for the proposed Vadhvan Port project — including land measurement and road alignment — have been ongoing despite strong opposition. Locals, particularly farmers and fishermen, argue that the port threatens their livelihood and coastal ecosystem.

When the company attempted to proceed with drilling, villagers gathered in large numbers, forcing survey vehicles to retreat. Witnesses said the crowd grew “agitated yet united” as they demanded an immediate halt to all ongoing work.

Tensions Escalate, Police Appeal for Calm

Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh reached the spot, urging residents to stay peaceful. But locals questioned why the drilling was happening when the Supreme Court had already stayed all construction-related work at the Vadhvan port site.

This led to heated verbal exchanges between villagers and police officers. As the situation worsened, some vehicles brought in for drilling were withdrawn from the seashore area near Varor village.

Conditional Approval Reached After Talks

A discussion followed between police officials and the Vadhvan Port Struggle Committee, led by President Narayan Patil and Vice-President Vaibhav Vaze, along with members Jyoti Meher, Vineet Patil, Hemant Tamore, Ramkrishna Tandel, Nandkumar Vinde, and Nikhil Patil.

It was agreed that, for now, only a limited drilling survey could proceed — and no additional construction or development work would be undertaken without fresh permission.

Heat and Chaos: Policewoman Collapses During Duty

Due to the intense heat and long hours on duty, a female constable, Renuka Rabde, reportedly fainted on-site and was immediately rushed to hospital. Her condition was later reported stable.

Despite the partial agreement, villagers remain firm in their opposition, declaring that Vadhvan port drilling will not be allowed until complete environmental and legal clearance is achieved.

This incident highlights the growing tension between development plans and community consent — an issue that continues to stir strong emotions across Vasai’s coastal villages.