Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port has entered into an agreement with Mumbai-based Hiranandani Group to build a jetty-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at east Midnapore for storage and re-gasification of LNG with a capacity of five million tpa.
The proposed project will see an investment of around Rs 3,900 crore and has an economic value of around Rs 6,000 crore.
The terminal is expected to create direct employment to around 250 people and indirect employment to 750 people. The project had already obtained environmental clearance and SMP has given its NOC on mutually agreed terms and conditions.
The project is coming up on 38 acre of land acquired from the Haldia Development Authority. However, the waterfront area comes under the jurisdiction of SMP, Kolkata.
Apart from the onshore LNG storage and regasification terminal, the project envisages the development of 125 km long pipeline from Kukrahati to Itinda in Bangladesh and 225 km long pipeline from Kanaichatta to Shrirampur.
Moreover, around 20 liquid to compressed natural gas (LCNG) stations will also get commissioned in West Bengal under this project.
Once commissioned in July 2024, LNG can be used as bunker fuel for ships and barges in the Hooghly river. It will also cater to the requirements of West Bengal and nearby states.