JNPT gets Rs. 2,029-cr for harbor widening

In order to cater to the increasing requirement for the cargo handling at the port, the government recently approved a Rs.2,029-crore project for widening of Mumbai harbour channel at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai. The entire project cost will be funded through internal resources of JN Port Trust (JNPT) with market borrowing, if situation demands so. The project includes the existing channel to be widened to 450 from the current 370 metres, and the straight reach channel to be extended to 35.5 km, from the existing 33.5 km. The draft of the channel will be increased to 15 metre, from the current 14 metre. The estimated quantity to be dredged will be to the tune of 35.03 million cubic metre, including 1.73 million cubic metre rock dredging. The work is likely to be implemented by inviting global tenders and is expected to be completed within 2 years, official sources claimed.