# First port-based e-methanol plant foundation laid at Kandla

2026-09-27T01:15:26+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

The Deendayal Port Authority and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd laid the foundation stone on Saturday for a 150-tonnes-per-day e-methanol plant at Kandla Port in Gujarat. The project, estimated to cost Rs 2,300 crore, is expected to create more than 3,500 direct and indirect jobs. The facility will use renewable power, water and biogenic CO2 to produce e-methanol for ships on the Asia-Europe International Trade Corridor. The plant will be built in two phases: a 50-tonne-per-day unit costing Rs 1,200 crore by January 2027, and an additional 100 tonnes per day at Rs 1,100 crore by March 2027. The Assam Tribune reports the initial MoU in January 2026 had pegged investment at Rs 1,200 crore. Deendayal Port Authority will hold a 76% stake and Assam Petro-Chemicals 24%. Officials said the plant will produce green methanol at about $750 per tonne, against a global rate of $1,300 per tonne.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All four sources report the same core facts but differ in emphasis. The Assam Tribune and Times of India lead with the project's significance for green shipping and net-zero goals, quoting officials at length. The Economic Times frames it as a step toward green fuel export and Atmanirbharta, while Business Line notes the cost has nearly doubled from the MoU figure and that the capacity is smaller than an earlier proposal. The uniform coverage is largely celebratory, with no source offering independent scrutiny of cost escalation or timeline. The project's two-phase completion by early 2027 will be the key test.

## Coverage

- assamtribune.com (neutral report) <https://assamtribune.com/assam/kandla-green-fuel-push-assam-gujarat-lay-foundation-for-150-tpd-e-methanol-plant-1618536>
  Straight news with official quotes, no critical angle
- thehindubusinessline.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/deendayal-port-and-assam-petro-chemicals-lay-foundation-stone-for-2300-crore-e-methanol-plant-in-gujarat/article71512630.ece>
  Includes cost escalation and capacity reduction details from earlier proposal
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-to-build-1st-port-based-rs-2300-crore-e-methanol-plant-at-kandla-to-supply-green-fuel-to-ships/articleshow/134507788.cms>
  Reports project details and timeline, quotes officials without editorialising
- economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/oil-gas/indias-first-port-based-e-methanol-production-facility-to-produce-and-supply-green-fuel-to-ships/articleshow/134514799.cms>
  Frames as export opportunity, quotes ministers, no critical analysis

Tags: Assam Petro-Chemicals, Bhupendra Patel, Deendayal Port Authority, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kandla, Sarbananda Sonowal
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