The Ministry of Shipping has approved the revised cost estimate of Rs 123.95 crore for augmenting ship repair facilities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Due to significant increased ship movements, the existing repairing facilities at Port Blair are being augmented by the Ministry of Shipping.
The existing dock length will be extended by 90 mtr. The augmentation will boost ship building and ship repairing industry and facilitate the Make in India initiative.
The extension of Dry Dock-II at a marine dockyard including supply, installation and commissioning of dry dock pumps and accessories in Port Blair, South Andaman was sanctioned by the Ministry of Shipping under Central Sector Scheme at a cost of Rs 96.24 crore, with stipulated date of completion of 42 months during February 2016.
The scope of work was to extend the existing dock by 90 mtr in length to accommodate more and bigger vessels. This facility was to double the existing capacity of ship repair facilities at Port Blair and generate employment opportunities and enhance income of islanders.
The project was awarded and preliminary work commenced on 7 March 2017.
Due to some technical changes in the project, there was cost and time overrun and the Ministry of Shipping has now approved the revised cost estimate.
The extension facility of the Dry dock will be made available to the shipping industry by August 2021.