JOIN USAdani Group, JSW Steel and two other companies are in the race for a Rs 350-crore dredging project at Goa port, the first such scheme on PPP model at a major port.
“The government has decided to undertake the work for deepening of draft at Mormugao Port in Goa on PPP. Four firms — Adani Ports, JSW Steel, Mercator Lines and Dharti Dredgers and Infrastructure — have bid for it,” a top official said.
The government will very soon take a final decision to select the bidder, the official said, adding that this is for the first time that the government is proceeding to go for dredging at any major port on public-private-partnership (PPP) basis.
When contacted, JSW Joint Managing Director CEO BVJK Sharma said, “Yes, we will bid if we qualify.”
An Adani spokesperson did not reply to queries in this regard, while Mercator Lines and Dharti Dredgers and could not be reached for comments.
Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) in Goa is among the 12 major ports in the country under the control of the Centre.
The project involves deepening the draft of its navigation channel from the existing 14.5 metres to 19.5 metres, which when done would enable the port to receive large size vessels.
The official said at present only 75,000 tonne vessels come to Goa port and the dredging will pave way for large cape size vessels of 1,75000 DWT.