The Kandla Port Trust (KPT) on Tuesday awarded the Rs 1,060-crore dry bulk terminal development project, off Tekra near Tuna, to its perceived competitor-cum-neighbour, Adani Port and SEZ Ltd (APSEZL), which runs the Mundra Port in Gujarat.

The KPT board, in its meeting, took up the issue of the award of the public-private partnership (PPP) in the project, for which APSEZL had emerged as the successful bidder and short-listed for consideration of the award.

In its January 9 meeting, the Board could not decide on the award as some members suggested that APSEZL be asked to make a presentation assuring that the company, which operates the largest private port in India, would fulfil its promises and complete the project, as stipulated.

In Tuesday's meeting, the board, which had asked APSEZL to make a presentation, raised several queries with the bidder.

The Adani company assured that it was “very serious” about implementing the project and has the required expertise, Mr M.A. Bhaskar Achar, Vice-Chairman, told Business Line .

The project will bring in 14 million tonnes (mt) of cargo annually to Kandla Port.

The Adanis would develop the satellite port in two years, which is part of the 30-year concession.

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