Gujarat: Adani to build infra at Hazira to restart Ro-Ro ferry service

RAJKOT: Adani Group’s Adani Hazira Ports Pvt Ltd (AHPPL) has won the contract to build the temporary infrastructure at Hazira port for re-starting the beleaguered Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Ro ferry service.
AHPPL quoted the lowest - Re one - in the bids invited by Deendayal Port Trust (DPT), formerly Kandla Port, which has been tasked with re-starting the ferry service. DPT had last month invited bidders for the temporary structure which can enable the re-starting of the service that has been mired in a plethora of problems since September 2019.
DPT chairman SK Mehta said, "Adani had quoted the lowest Re 1 (for 11 months) which means they will charge only this token amount from us for the construction."
DPT, which will eventually operate the ferry service as per the shipping ministry's mandate, aims to commence the Ro-Ro operations as soon as monsoon ends.DPT on Thursday issued the letter of acceptance to AHPPL, which operates a container terminal at Hazira.
“Adani has agreed to provide us the temporary infrastructure in the next three months. They have been given a contract for 11 months which is extendable by as many months with 25% escalation,” said DPT officials. Adani, which already operates a container terminal at Hazira, outbid Essar Ports and one more company to win the construction contract. Sources said that the investment required for the structure is at least Rs 25 crore.
The infrastructure requires a linkspan and pontoon, which are the key to operating the Ro-Ro vessel and movement of transport vehicles into the ship. On Thursday, DPT handed over the letter of acceptance to Adani Ports. The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) has agreed to provide 600 m waterfront and 24 hectare land to DPT on lease, but the formalities are yet to be completed.