16 cos bid for Karwar port

Karnataka, which has proposed to develop a deep sea port in the coastal town of Karwar with an estimated investment of Rs 1,000 crore, has received 16 bids from various companies and consortia.

The bidders include Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd, JSW Infrastructure & Logistics, Adani Group, Gammon Infrastructure, Navyug Engineering, ABG Heavy Industries, GVPREL, Sical Logistics, Maytas Infrastructure ô Nagarjuna Construction Corporation and many others.

The state government has formed a four-member expert panel to evaluate the bids for the port development being taken up under State Ports Development Project.

"We will evaluate the bids for various criteria. Only the shortlisted firms will be asked to submit the financial bids," highly-placed sources in the Department of Ports and Inland Water Transport told Business Standard.

The successful bidder has to build, own and operate the deep sea port for a period of 30 years. "The port will be operated on a revenue sharing basis. The company or consortia offering the highest revenue share for the government by generating business will be awarded the contract to build the port," the sources added.

Karwar is the most busiest port in the state after the New Mangalore Port Trust. Karwar, a state-owned port, exported 40,000 tonnes of iron ore last fiscal. Karwar port is well connected with both road and railway network. The national highway 17, connecting Kochi and Mumbai, passes through Karwar and the Konkan Railway line connecting Mangalore and Mumbai also provides a stop at Karwar.

The officials pointed out that Karwar was one of the best natural harbours. "On completion of the development, it will offer better and increased berthing and docking facilities to large sea faring vessels. The all weather port has considerable potential for the movement of the container cargo since it is logistically viable. The state government has decided to start container handling facility at the port," the officials said. The state also operates nine other minor ports such as Belikeri, Tadri, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Kundapur, Hangarkatta, Malpe, Padubidri and Old Mangalore.