December 11, 2008

WBIDC to begin socio-economic study for Rs 2,000-cr shipyard

Kolkata, 7 December (PTI): West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation will soon conduct a socio-economic viability study to overcome the land acquisition hurdle for the Rs 2,000 crore Apeejay-Bharati shipyard joint venture project in the State.
WBIDC and the Haldia Development Authority, which was involved in the land acquisition for the project that was to come up at the port town of Haldia, hinted that consent for some 300 acres was received out of 494 acres required.

"WBIDC will soon initiate a socia-economic viability study at the project area in order to formulate a rehabilitation scheme. This will help negotiations for land acquisition," top official sources told PTI.

Apeejay-Surendra Group Chairman Karan Paul had earlier said he was committed to the State and hoped "misunderstanding" on land acquisition would be overcome soon.

Bengal Shipyard Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between Apeejay group's unlisted Apeejay Shipping Ltd and Bharati Shipyard Ltd, reiterated that the company was committed to the project despite the current economic crisis.

Bengal Shipyard officials said the company was also in direct dialogue at the panchayat level for land acquisition.

Bengal Shipyard was planning another Rs 2,000-crore shipyard project in Orissa. Asked about the possibility of the project to shift to Orissa, Bengal Shipyard CEO S D Pattnaik said, "The Orissa project is separate from the West Bengal project. The Orissa project has no bearing on the Bengal project."

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