Gujarat to focus on port-led development, says Modi

Promising the development of Gujarat through the 1,600-km long coastline, chief minister Narendra Modi said Dahej would be one of the industrial hubs in this region.

On a visit to Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL)'s Dahej complex for the dedication ceremony of caustic soda plant's expansion and poly aluminium chloride project, Modi said the state would focus on port-led and not just port development.

The capacity of the caustic soda plant has been raised from 435 tonne per day (tpd) to 635 tpd while the new poly aluminium chloride plant has a capacity of 75 tpd.

"It is not just port but port-led development which will boost the state's progress. The development will include SEZs, warehouses, cold storages, among other things and Dahej is surely a part of this," he said.

Modi assured that the proposed railway connectivity to every port and Ahmedabad-Rajkot expressway would be commissioned on time.

"GACL is an example of how a government company can succeed with a clear vision and dedication. GACL provides raw material to other industries. It is, thus, creating value-addition to other industries, to itself and to the state of Gujarat."

In 2004, Modi had laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the caustic soda plant at Dahej.

Speaking on the occasion. Guruprasad Mohapatra, managing director, said both the projects had been completed on time at a cost of Rs 139 crore and Rs 26.70 crore respectively.

Uhde India Ltd and Contec Srl, Italy had supplied the technology. The company has also commissioned another poly aluminium chloride plant at its Vadodara Complex.

According to Mohapatra, both the units are expected to boost the turnover by Rs 140 crore.

"The company would undertake new projects such as hydrogen peroxide, anhydrous aluminium chloride and 100 tpd caustic flaking at Dahej at an investment of Rs 148 crore by end of the year," he added.