Govt's Rs 2,500 cr port development plan gains traction

The government plans to use private firms to develop seven operational cargo berths worth Rs 2,500 crore run by the state-owned ports received approval from the industry. VO Chidambaranar Port Trust (VOC) and Paradip Port have received tenders from industries like Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), Dubai's DP World, Essar, APM Terminals Management BV, J M Baxi Group. According to sources, a bulk cargo terminal has been planned for berth 9 in a public-private partnership (PPP) at an investment of more than Rs 400 crore at VO Chidambaranar Port Trust, Tamil Nadu. The expression of interest (EOI) shows interested firms for development. Major industries showing interest are Adani, Essar, DP World, J M Baxi. As per the sources, Essar has plans for the development of the South Quay Berth (SQB) in Paradip Port Trust for nearly Rs 75 crore. VOC is also planning to develop the North Cargo Berth III with an investment of around Rs 420 crore in a public-private partnership model. The Ministry of Finance, Nirmala Sitharaman, in the Budget, indicated that the seven development projects of Rs 2,000 crore would be available on offer for the private companies as a part of the new model of the management of ports. The largest development project among the seven is at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), a privatisation plan for its container terminal at nearly Rs 860 crore. As per the reports, JNPT is likely to issue a global tender in which APSEZ, APM Terminals Management BV, and DP World may participate. DP World and APM Terminals Management BV are already operating JNPT terminals. JNPT also sees private participation in the development of a dedicated berth to handle ships that run only on local routes at Rs 170 crore. Other ports to receive private participation are Deendayal Port Trust in Kandla, Gujarat, for the development of Berth 14 for Rs 300 crore and the West Quay Berths 7 and 8 at Visakhapatnam Port Trust at Rs 288 crore. Image Source Also read: Major ports in India get tariff regulator Also read: Inland Vessels Bill 2021: Government passes bill in Lok Sabha