WB Gov receives proposals for shipyard construction

Kolkata: The West Bengal Government has before it for consideration two 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.

When contacted, 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 V. Kumar, Managing Director, Bharti Shipyard, and Mr S. Bhattacharyya, Vice-Chairman, Essar Group, were here recently in connection with the presentations of their respective project proposals before the State Government.

The West Bengal Minister for Commerce & Industry, Mr Nirupam Sen; the Commerce & Industry Secretary, Mr S. Sen; the Director of Industries, Mr M.V. Rao; the Managing Director 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 two 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. The cost of each project is estimated at Rs 2,000 crore and the land requirement at 400 acres.

Prior to acquisition of land, the State Government will firm up the rehabilitation package with the respective promoters, it is learnt.