East Coast Energy gets nod to build captive jetty

The Andhra Pradesh government has accorded permission to East Coast Energy Private Limited (ECEPL) for construction of a dedicated captive jetty at Meghavaram, 10 km south of Bhavanapadu port, for import of coal.

ECEPL is setting up a 2,640Mw coal-fired thermal plant in an extent of 2,450 acres at Kakaraplli village in Srikakulam district at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore. The coal requirement for the plant would be 10 million tonnes per annum.

The environmental impact assessment studies for the project were stated to have been completed and the final clearance was expected shortly.

The AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has also allotted the land provisionally. The project is expected to achieve financial closure by March 2009.

According to information minister A Ramnarayana Reddy, basing on the report of L&T Ramboll Consultants and the recommendations of the director of ports, Meghavaram has been notified as a minor port.