JNPT to Set up Edible Oil Refinery Near Mumbai

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) is planning to host an edible oil refinery to maximise revenue and ensure captive cargo. It already has a liquid cargo terminal in addition to the four container terminals off Mumbai's east coast.

The port authority has received an expression of interest (EoI) from edible oil players for setting up a refinery on its land. The land will be leased out on a long-term basis and it will also be beneficial for the port as it will give it captive cargo.

The raw material for the refinery will be imported from abroad and a considerable part of the finished products will be sent out through the sea. The port authority has already identified a six-acre plot for the refinery project. JNPT is also investing Rs 310 crore for extending the liquid cargo tank farm which will increase its capacity to 4.5 million tpa.

The port authority is also coming up with a tender to bid out large land parcels at the adjoining special economic zone (SEZ). The land parcel will be over 285 acre and winning bidders will have to give a commitment to employ at least 12,000 people on it.

JNPT has put in its expression of interest to acquire the financially troubled Dighi Port. It is also looking to acquire rights to develop Revas and Vijaydurg ports from the existing concession holders who are yet to begin construction.

The port is working on projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore at present to ease operations internally, including an 8-lane road, multiple flyovers at junctions and also Rs 200 crore centralised parking plaza.