Infrastructure
Golden Quadrilateral Project -- NHAI takes the annuity road
IN ITS desperation to complete the construction of the much-publicised highways along the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) by December 2003, as mandated by the Prime Minister, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is plumping for the annuity method wi
th private sector participation on BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis.
Major gas grid for Gujarat in the pipeline
THE GUJARAT State Petronet Ltd (GSPL), the nodal agency for developing the gas grid network in the State, has commenced the construction of three gas pipeline grids in south Gujarat spanning a total length of 98 km. This network would integrate with an e
xisting 70-km pipeline owned and operated by the Gujarat Gas Company Ltd (GGCL), thus putting into place a 183-km grid that will evacuate gas from the Hazira fields of the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd (GSPC).
Raising the resources
GSPL is gearing up to come out with a bond issue of Rs 100 crore in the next 15 days in a bid to partly meet the expenses for the pipeline project.
Shipping
Lifeline to the Andamans
Inter-island traffic is vital for the Andaman economy. The islanders and tourists depend on these vessels to move cargo and for daily travel.
Corporatisation of ports -- Time-bound plan called for
``THE clothing that is suitable for summer is unsuitable for winter. The present organisational outfit of Indian ports, suited for a monopolistic environment, is unsuitable when they are facing the winter of competition,'' said Dr Jose Paul, chairman, Mo
rmugao Port Trust, while calling for a time-bound action plan for corporatisation of major ports.
Ocean Majesty cruises into Kochi
THE luxury liner MV Ocean Majesty made a seven-hour stop at the Kochi Port last Friday. It is exploring the lesser `cruised' regions of the Indian Ocean such as Coastal India, Myanmar, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Southern ports preferred for vegoil imports
THERE ARE a dozen ports in the West and East coasts of the country through which edible oils arrive. Over the last year, the pattern of port usage for imported vegetable oils has undergone noticeable changes. Ports in the South seem to be challenging the
traditional dominance of West coast ports, and have emerged as major entry points.
MoST leaves contract decision to Vizag
THE battle between Vizag Port and the Ministry of Surface Transport (MoST) over the port's decision to award the contract for the supply of four 20-tonne electric wharf cranes to Thane-based Mukand Ltd continues, with the MoST throwing the ball back into
the VPT's court.
Petrapole issue still unresolved
The no-man's land for cargo transhipment at the Petrapole border point in West Bengal is a small strip of land that has excited much debate but little action. The facility at the international border can accommodate only 10 trucks (the smaller Bang
ladeshi variety) at a time. This has not only cramped truck movement through the Petrapole-Benapole point, but also resulted in skirmishes between truckers and authorities.
