Indonesia-based Salim group has expressed an interest in the construction of deep river port near Haldia in West Bengal. The firm is part of a consortium with Indian developer Unitech and Indonesia’s Universal Success building a chemical hub at Nayachar island, close to the proposed site of the new port which would service the hub with crude oil imports. The Indian government holds a 49% stake in the chemical hub joint venture with the consortium members in possession of the controlling stake.
“They (Salim group) want to build a deep water port, they will give us a detailed proposal, which we will examine and then seek the central government’s clearance,” Principal Industry Secretary Sabyasachi Sen is reported as saying. “The port will facilitate movement of bigger-sized vessels.”
The group expects to start construction on the refinery within the next three years.