New Mangalore drops PPP mode for box terminal

Following backing out by private players from its proposed container terminal project citing lower returns, New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) has decided to go all alone to construct the terminal. The port board has also decided to discard the normal route of public private partnership (PPP) for such projects.

With the change in the mode of construction, the trust will build a new berth and invite the private sector to install the necessary infrastructure for handling container cargo. Besides, it has also decided to float fresh tenders from the private sector for providing infrastructure like cranes and other equipment for handling container cargo separately. The cost of building the new berth is estimated at Rs 50 crore.

The port trust is expected to approach the shipping ministry for its approval of the changed plan for the terminal . The proposed terminal is designed to have quay length of 300 metres and width of 25 metres with a 14-metre draft.