Projects Today reported that the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust is likely to float fresh global tender from potential firms for deepening and widening of main harbor channel after the monsoon.

Currently, the geo-technical study for the project is on and JNPT is awaiting the report. Tenders for soil investigation are re invited and under evaluation stage. JNPT had received MoEF clearance for the dredging and widening of main harbor channel work in March 2004. But, the validity of the earlier called tenders expired.

Initially, the project was estimated to cost INR 850 crore, which is likely to go up this time. The deepening and widening of main harbor channel will enable the port to increase the drought to 14.5 meters from 12.5 meters and thus allow the port to get larger vessels for better economy of scale.

Meanwhile, at least 20 companies have responded to the RFQ for developing its INR 6,700 crore fourth container terminal within the JNPT. The fourth container terminal to be developed in two phases will be developed as an extension to the existing BPCL jetty along with the marine chemical terminal on BOT basis.

(Sourced from Projects Today)