Instead either finding ways, Gujarat makes one! State nods positive for world’s first CNG port terminal at Bhavnagar

Ahmedabad, November 12: The state of Gujarat has always been a supreme elite, undertaking all the developments at first! Aligning to its lead, the Gujarat Government has given its nod to the world’s first CNG port terminal at Bhavnagar on Tuesday.

   

 

The U.K. based Foresight group and Mumbai based Padmanabh Mafatlal group joint venture are slated to invest Rs.1900 crore to set up a CNG port terminal at Bhavnagar port. "Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board- GIDB under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has also approved this proposal", the statement read.

 

The proposed CNG port terminal is set to have annual capacity of 6 million matric tone, which will increased the total handling capacity of the port to 9 million matric tones. MoU for this project between Gujarat government arm Gujarat Maritime Board and London based Foresight Group was signed during the 2019 Vibrant Gujarat summit.

 

"The new facility will be developed in the Northern side of present port, underwhich RoRo terminal, liquid terminal and container terminal will be developed in future", the starement added.

 

While the consortium has proposed an investment of Rs.1,900 crore in two phases with Rs 1,300 crore in the first phase and Rs 600 crore in the second phase through the 'Swiss challenge' method, studies for pre-feasibility report, cite selection, gas supply agreement and CNG vessel development have also been completed.

 

The GMB manages the existing port at Bhavnagar, having a capacity to handle three MMTPA cargo, and the new terminals would take the overall capacity to nine MMTPA. To develop CNG and other terminals on the north side of the existing port would require major modifications in the existing infrastructure, including dredging in water channel of port basin, construction of two lock gates, and off-shore infrastructure for CNG transportation.