East Coast Energy gets nod to develop jetty

Hyderabad: East Coast Energy, now in the process of securing clearances for a 2,640 MW coal-based plant near Bhavanapadu in Srikakulum district of the State, has received nod to create a Rs 600-crore jetty to meet the fuel evacuation needs.

The Andhra Pradesh cabinet approved the development of jetty based on the recommendations of LT Ramboll Consultants and the Director of Ports.

This will pave the way for construction of a dedicated captive jetty at Megavaram to handle dry bulk cargo, particularly imported coal from Indonesian and Australian mines.

While the payment, landing and shipping charges will be paid to the State Government, all statutory port charges will accrue to the Director of Ports.

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved the additional financial assistance of Rs 335 crore to the Maytas Infra-led consortium which is now in the process of executing a Rs 1,255-crore Machilipatnam port project.

The hike in project cost from Rs 1,255 crore to Rs 1,590 crore was allowed based on the request by the developer for Government assistance for dredging costs.

The additional costs were agreed to by the State based on an independent study conducted by WAPCOS consultants, a Government of India undertaking.

Briefing newspersons, the State Information Minister, Mr A. Ramnarayan Reddy, said the Government approved extending financial assistance of Rs 335 crore in three equal installments after the developer achieves financial closure. This will help meet the additional costs associated with changing the location of the port from Gogileru to Machilipatnam.

In another decision, the Cabinet approved enhancement of lease rentals at the Kakinada port.

The cabinet approved a State water policy to ensure multi-sectoral planning, development and management of State’s water resources wherein the focus will be to improve water supply significantly by 2025.

The Cabinet accorded permission to seek World Bank loan of Rs 1,000 crore to meet additional requirements for Society for Elimination of Poor, whose mandate is to empower women self help groups.