The country’s largest container port JNPT, welcoming the Budget proposal that made import of dredging machinery duty-free, yesterday announced that the provision will help it save about Rs 100 crore on the upcoming dredging project, reports IBN Live.
The chairman of JNPT L Radhakrishnan stated: “We are going to save at least Rs 100 crore on dredging project because we fought this issue of bringing us at par with NHAI for import of machinery for dredging. ”
Radhakrishnan also said the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust had persistently sought to give it an equal status as the National Highway Authority when it comes to duty on import of equipment used for works.
He, however, added that the port, which is soon to award a contract for the Rs 1,600 crore dredging project, is yet to get the formal orders. The project aims at increasing the depth of the 35 km channel up to the port to 14 metre against 10 metre which will allow movement of larger ships.
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Dredging Today Staff, March 21, 2012;