The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has approved the diversion of 237 hectares of forest land for a highway linking the under-construction Vadhavan port in Palghar district, Maharashtra, to National Highway 48 (NH 48). This highway project, a flagship initiative of the BJP-led government, aims to facilitate the movement of goods through India's first offshore port. However, the environmental implications are severe, with the loss of nearly 30,000 trees and the destruction of 72,790 trees, 21 ponds, and 209 wells. The project will also result in the demolition of 611 homes across affected villages in Dahanu and Palghar talukas. To mitigate the environmental impact, the state has proposed compensatory afforestation on 475 hectares of degraded forest land. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has awarded the construction contract for the initial phase to J Kumar Infraprojects Limited and Shinde Developers Pvt Ltd, with an estimated cost of ₹2,360 crore. This highway will enhance connectivity to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, further integrating the port with national transport networks.