L&T to invest ₹1,000 crore in its ship building complex at Katupalli

KATUPALLI : Construction major Larsen & Toubro Ltd plans to invest ₹1,000 crore in its ship building complex at Katupalli near Chennai to reach its intended production capacity.

In 2009, the facility had received Environment Clearance and Coastal Regulation Zone clearance to annually produce 50,000 tonnes per annum for modular fabrication facility (MFF) and permission for 25 ship buildings and 60 ship repairs. However, with the existing infrastructure, the company is unable to reach these intended capacities/quantities. The company intends to take up further development works at Kattupalli, says document available with businessline.

The document said that the additional facilities will help L&T to reach its intended production capacity of 50,000 tonnes per annum for MFF as well as construction and repair of 25 and 60 ships per annum, respectively.

The development works will be taken up within the 892.11 acre area already belonging to L&T. The proposed development will involve setting up of additional shops, fabrication units, paint shops, assembly shops, blasting shops, residential accommodation buildings, office buildings, warehouse sheds, skill development centre, landscaping/greenbelt development, the document said.

At present, 30 ship repairs and construction of 15 new ships are being taken up at the shipbuilding facility per annum.

The development works are likely to start in October and be completed in three years,. the document said.

Company officials declined to comment.

L&T’s Katupalli facility, about 40 km north of Chennai, is a greenfield shipyard, and has a dedicated design centre for warships. The shipyard has multiple dry berths and wet berths that enable concurrent construction and repairs of multiple vessels, according to information in the company website.

Source : Businessline