New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) Thursday approved projects worth Rs.7,296 crore for the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai and upgrading a coal handling facility at Visakhapatnam Port.
Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said the JNPT project for development of a fourth container terminal will be done on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs.6,696 crore and is being developed through the Public Private Partnership (PPP), he said. JNPT in Mumbai is one of the 12 major ports under the Ministry of Shipping.

The first phase of the project will be commissioned within a period of three years from the date of signing of the concession agreement, while the Phase-II will be implemented in two years, he informed media persons.

The CCI also approved the project estimated to cost Rs.600 crore for development of a atandalone container handling facility at the JNPT on DBFOT basis.

“The project is to be implemented within a period of 24 months from the date of award of the concession,” the minister said.

The CCI also cleared another project for developing coal handling facilities and upgradation of general cargo berth at Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh. The estimated cost of the project is Rs.441.1 crore.

“The project would help the port cater to handle more coal and help in de-congestion of the port due to faster unloading of coal after mechanization and strengthening of the berth and will facilitate handling capsize vessels resulting in economies of scale,” the minister said.