Congress questions ‘concessions’ given to Adani Ports in Gujarat

The Congress on Wednesday raised the issue of “concessions” being granted to Adani Ports so that it can gain “control” over the Mundhra, Hazira and Dahej ports in Gujarat for 75 years on a Build-Operate-Own-Transfer basis. He also referred to his remarks in August, in which he had alleged that the Gujarat government was helping Adani Ports to “secure a monopoly” on the State’s port sector. The BOOT that has become the LOOT,” Mr. Ramesh asked The Congress leader said that in early 2024, Adani Ports asked the Gujarat Maritime Board to extend the period of concession for private ports on a Build-Operate-Own-Transfer basis from the present 30 years to 75 years, well beyond the maximum permissible period of 50 years. All these facts came tumbling out in the public domain on August 14, 2024.” Royalty issue The Congress leader said the State’s Finance Department then asked for some clarifications from the GMB on the amount of royalty revenue payable to the State by Adani Ports after the existing concession period expires in 2027/28. “GMB’s initial estimate of payment to be made to the State by Adani Ports was around ₹1,700 crore per year while the company claimed it was just ₹394 crore per year.