Gandhinagar: The Government of Gujarat has approved a letter of intent for setting up world’s first CNG terminal port at Bhavnagar. Consortium of Foresight Group, Padmanabh Mafatlal Group and Netherlands based Boskalis will develop this brownfield port. Detailed Project Report (DPR) and environmental clearance will take 18 months time now onward as letter of intent is approved. After approvals are granted, on-site construction will begin, which will take another three-year time.

According to a note released by the State government, in-principal approval to this project was given Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) meeting in November last year.

Proposed CNG terminal will witness initial phase of investment of Rs. 1300 crore for setting up a 15 lakh tonne capacity CNG terminal. Also planned are 45-lakh tonne capacity liquid cargo terminal, container and white cargo terminal and ro-ro terminal. The entire project will come up at estimated cost of Rs. 1900 crore.

In order to develop this port, several works will be taken up such as channel and port basin dredging, construction of two lock-gates and coastal infrastructure facilities for CNG transportation.

Bhavnagar port presently functions under the Gujarat Maritime Board and witness 3 million metric tonne cargo transport annually. It will go up at 9 million metric tonne, once the CNG terminal is functional. DeshGujarat