New Delhi: Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Infrastructure Ltd. on Thursday said it has secured rights to develop a green port in Karnataka with an initial capacity of 30 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in a public-private partnership.
Once completed, Keni Port, to be built at a cost of ₹4,119 crore, will be an all-weather, green field, multi-cargo, direct berth, deep-water facility.
JSW Infra will also operate the project for a period of 30 years.
“Once the concession agreement is signed, we will start working to develop the Keni Port as an integral part of the state’s maritime infrastructure and commercial gateway,” said Arun Maheshwari, joint managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of JSW Infrastructure in a. company statement.
The project was awarded by the Karnataka Maritime Board.
The port is expected to significantly address the growing import and export trade momentum of the region.
JSW Infra will pay a royalty per metric tonne of cargo loaded to the Karnataka Maritime Board, and the concession period would be for 30 years from the date of appointment, with a further extension clause subject to the fulfillment of the terms and conditions, the statement added. .
Along with JSW Infra, Adani Ports also bid for the project. Navayuga Engineering and Vishwa Samudra were the other two bidders.
JSW Infrastructure is part of the JSW Group, and is the second largest commercial port operator in India in terms of cargo handling capacity in FY23.
According to the Karnataka Maritime Perspective Plan, the state has an inland potential of 44 MTPA of cargo which is expected to increase to 117 MTPA by 2035.
“The proposed Keni Port… is envisioned as… a commercial port to handle all cargo types on the west coast in the North Karnataka region to serve the industries in the area covering Bellary, Hosapete, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, and South Maharashtra,” the company. added
It is strategically located between two major operational ports and is inland mainly of coal and coke cargo which is used for steel, cement, and power plants. It will also handle iron ore, limestone, dolomite handling, and the export of finished steel products.
“Rail connectivity to the Keni Port site is proposed to be on the southern side and connected with the existing Konkan line to the north of the Ankola Station. The proposed rail alignment will be developed with a total length of approximately 8 km. The proposed port. will be well connected with road and rail connectivity,” the company added.
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Updated: 16 Nov 2023, 19:13 IST
(tagsTo Translate)JSW Infrastructure