Two consortiums, out of 4, have submitted final bids for Gangavaram port project proposed to come up in Andhra Pradesh.

The consortiums that submitted final bids for the project are DVS Raju (chairman and managing director of software company – VisualSoft Technologies) led consortium comprising Dubai Ports International UAE, West Port Holdings SDN BHD of Malaysia and Jurong Consultants of Singapore; and another consortium comprising Adani Exports, Adani Infrastructure Services and Adani Port Infrastructure.

The other 2 consortiums viz. Lanco group led consortium and the other consortium of BMT Asia-Pacific of Singapore and Port of Brisbane Corporation of Australia, had asked for extension of deadline, but were refused the same, by Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), the nodal agency for carrying out the project.

APIIC proposes to select the final developer for the project by the end of June 2002.

According to reports, the state government has earmarked about 1,800 acres of land for the development of the port with private sector participation. The government has also assured that it would provide external infrastructure linkages such as roads, power supply and water supply up to the port boundary and would also persuade the Railways to lay a line to the port.

The government has also proposed a 33-year concession period, which includes 3 years for financial closure and construction activity.

The port project is expected to become operational in 2005.