| Date: |
04-03-2015 |
| Subject: |
Major infrastructure boost for Navi Mumbai's JNPT project |
NAVI MUMBAI: The state government is close to finalizing the long-pending deal for PAP families whose land was acquired for JNPT under the 12.5 % compensation package. JNPT was commissioned on May 26, 1989 but 3,524 families are yet to get the compensation.
JNPT chief manager (administration) and secretary, S K Kaul said, "The current talks were held after Central government agreed, in principle, to allot 158.24 hectares (1.5 sq kms) of land to the PAP families whose land was acquired."
PM Narendra Modi had promised of sorting out the almost 25-year-old problem last August, when he visited the port, and ensuring that protests did not mar the ambitious JNPT SEZ project.
But there has been a delay of several months due to the roadmap ahead being worked out, which involves increasing the FSI for PAPs from 1 to 2.
JNPT has agreed to pay the state government for the extra FSI and also Rs 212 crore to Cidco for developing the infrastructure and other works for rehabilitating the PAP families, said sources.
The financial closure of the Rs 9000-crore fourth terminal project, which is crucial for the upcoming JNPT SEZ project, is also over. The survey and preliminary construction work has started.
This project will be done in two phases with a total period of five years. It will help handle the increased container traffic. There are three terminals at present handled by JNPT, NSICT and GTI. Singapore port authority has won the bid for developing the fourth terminal for JNPT.
The JNPT expansion project for handling more container traffic in the next five years involves a total investment of Rs 12,200 crore.
The other part of the port expansion plan will deal with the expansion of national highway and existing roads in the area, which includes Amre Marg.
The technical evaluation of the Rs 3200-crore bid for the port road connectivity project is underway.
JNPT handles around 56% of India's container trade traffic and is suitably located for trade through sea route. It was PM Modi's first port of call after his maiden address on last Independence Day, where he announced his dream project of "Make in India".
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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