October 16, 2008

WB gets 2 shipyard construction proposals from private firms

BL reported that West Bengal Government has received 2 proposals from the private sector for construction of shipyards in the state. One proposal has been mooted by Bharti Shipyard in partnership with Apeejay Group and the other by the Essar Group. Prior to acquisition of land, the state government will firm up the rehabilitation package with the respective promoters.

Mr V Kumar MD of Bharti Shipyard and Mr S Bhattacharyya vice chairman of Essar Group, were recently in connection with the presentations of their respective project proposals before the state government. Sources close to Apeejay Group confirmed that it was negotiating the shipyard proposal with Bharti though the details were still to be worked out.

Mr Nirupam Sen minister for commerce & industry of West Bengal, Mr S Sen director of industries, Mr MV Rao MD of West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, Mr D Som and Mr Lakshman Seth, MP, among others, were also present at the presentations.

The locations for the 2 shipyards are believed to have been tentatively identified. While the one to be set up by the Bharti Apeejay combine is to be located at Badur, which is close to the confluence of Haldia and Hooghly rivers, in East Midnapore district, the other one is likely to be located anywhere between Kulpi and Sagar Island in South 24 Paraganas district, though the promoter is believed to have shown preference for Sagar Island.

The Essar Group is to start survey for the project in October 2007. The cost of each project is estimated at INR 2,000 crore and the land requirement at 400 acres.