An Indian subsidiary of Royal Dutch/Shell said on Monday preliminary work for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in India had begun and work for the main facility would start in November. The 19.50-billion-rupee ($414-million) project in western India will handle LNG imports up to five million tons a year, and the company could double its capacity if there is enough demand. "Hazira Port Pvt Ltd, a 100-percent Royal Dutch/Shell Group company, has awarded a contract for the building of access roads, pipeline crossings and other civil works for the Hazira port and LNG terminal," a company statement said. It said the contract was awarded to Essar Projects Ltd, which began work in July.