MUMBAI, Nov 5: The Gujarat government which had refused to grant permission for the Vadinar site for the SPM-COT link has proposed Pipavav as an alternative site. The Gujarat Pipavav Ports (GPPL), the country's first private sector promoter, currently has a port under construction at the site. A few berths have already been commissioned and the port hopes to start work on the LNG terminal very soon.On its part, Gujarat Pipavav has offered to construct the port facilities required for the Bina refinery within 30 months. It has also offered other guarantees related to port handling operations. Gujarat Pipavav feels that its site would be more cost effective for the refinery.
It would mean that onland transportation costs would be lower. However, the promoters of the project, Bharat PetroleumCorporation Ltd and Oman Oil Company, reportedly disagree saying that the Vadinar choice has been made after a detailed site search.
Although Indian Oil, Essar Oil and Reliance Petroleum already have clearance to setup single point moorings (SPMs) at Vadinar, the state government has cited environmental and national security reasons for denying permission to the Bina refinery to set up similar facilities.
Admitting that the government made a "mistake" in giving clearances to Reliance and Essar (Indian Oil Corporation has been at Vadinar since 1979), the state government has also asked Bina to choose any other site on the coast if they were unable to work things out with Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd.
However, the promoters of the refinery are categoric that this cannot be done.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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