Mr. Vijay G. Kalantri, Chairman & Managing Director of Dighi Port spoke to LNNnews.com on the developments pertaining to investment plans.

The port, according to Mr. Kalantri, is a “Gateway to Maharashtra”, and “it is India’s first port to get environmental clearance”, he said. It has good connectivity, connecting National Highway No. 17 and State Highways, SH 90, 97, and 98, and 45-kms away from the main railhead, he added.

We are now close to achieve financial closure, and “I think” by October, we’ll finish it, Mr. Kalantri said. According to him, the expansion of the port will be carried out in two phases, with Rs. 6,000-mn investment in each phase.

The first phase envisages setting up of five berths; one each for container, liquid and other cargo while 2 berths will be exclusive for bulk cargo, he said. The Phase I will also see increasing of the draft size from the present (natural) 8.5-mtrs to 12.5-mtrs and in phase II, the size will further be lengthened to 16-mtrs, to facilitate big vessels to call at the port, he added.

In Phase II, the port will take up special economic zone project initially in about 1,000 acres of land near its complex. The company has received necessary approvals from the Government. The Phase II will also see, coming up of rail link connecting the port with the main railhead.

Port of Venice to render operational consultancy service, while Dalal Mott Mac Donald has been retained as owners’ consultant. Halcrow of United Kingdom is designing the port.

Mr. Kalantri said: “We have started receiving a lot of enquiries from companies, wanting to set up their shops in SEZ,” he said. The port will encourage industries like, electricity generation, automobile, textiles, engineering, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, he added.

According to Mr. Kalantri, the port may consider developing its own ship manufacturing and repairing facilities in the second phase. The Phase I is scheduled for commissioning in 2008, while the second phase will be completed by 2009-10.