Top sources in Petronet LNG told The Financial Express that the company had completed the site investigation work early this month. The model oceanographic and other marine-related investigations, including the break water study, were conducted by the Pune-based Central Water Research and Power Station. Land-related works were undertaken by the New Delhi-based Rites.

Sources said the company was expecting to kick off the construction work by January. The project had got most of the formal clearances. However, it was yet to obtain clearance from the Pollution Control Board, the source added.The company hadentrusted the task of preparing the basic design for the project with WJ Kellogg and the Engineers India Ltd.

The consultants are likely to complete the work in a couple of months. Sources added the company would finalise on the EPC contractors for the venture very soon. Eleven companies including global majors Daewoo and the Korean Hanyang Corporation, were in the race for the EPC contract. The company is at present scrutinising the bids and would take a decision very soon. The company had floated global pre-qualification tenders for the EPC contract in November last.

Sources said the company was awaiting clearance of ministry of surface transport (MoST) for taking over the 50 hectares of land from the Cochin Port Trust. Petronet entered into a leasing agreement last year with CoPT for the land. The land valuation committee put a tag of Rs 25,000 per cent.