CCEA gives nod to JNPT's Rs 2496 cr project for liquid bulk terminal

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given green signal for the development of an additional liquid bulk terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Navi Mumbai. The estimated total cost would be Rs 2496 crore. The award would be on highest ‘Royalty’ basis.
 
The project will be taken up for implementation under the private public partnership (PPP) mode on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis. The project is envisaged to be implemented in two phases with overall capacity as 26.6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Phase I envisages construction of four berths to accommodate vessels size up to 180,000 Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) with a capacity of 15 MTPA. Phase II envisages construction of two additional berths for 180,000 DWT vessels with a capacity of 11.6 MTPA.
 
The project would enhance the liquid bulk cargo handling capacity of JNPT from the existing 5.5 MTPA to 20.5 MTPA by 2017-18 when Phase-I is expected to be commissioned. Capacity would go up to 32.1 MTPA with the commissioning of Phase-II by 2025-26. This infrastructure will facilitate industrial growth in the hinterland and also reduce transaction cost for users who are suffering high waiting time in the existing berths. The project will also create, additional employment opportunities and lead to socio-economic development of the region.
 
Private participation is expected to improve efficiency in handling of bulk liquid cargo through state-of-the-art technology and also by applying improved management techniques.