The union home ministry is learnt to have given its opinion on granting security clearance to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) for participating in the proposed terminal project in Chennai port.

In a representation submitted to the Chennai port late December, the APSEZ sought a review of the government’s earlier decision to deny it security clearance.

The representation was forwarded by the Chennai port to the shipping ministry, which, in turn, sent it to the home ministry.

The country's largest private port operator has been denied security clearances by the government to bid for port projects since November 2010.

While the company submitted price bid for the Rs 3,686-crore container terminal at the port, it was not considered because of lack of security clearance.

The company also failed to secure security clearances for participating in the fourth container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru port, a mechanized iron ore loading facility at Vizag port, and operating Vizhinjam port in Kerala.

Price bids for port contracts could be opened only after pre-qualified bidders are granted security clearance by the central government. Such clearances are sought on a project-to-project basis.