Paradip: A high-level team of Odisha government led by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy and 5T Secretary VK Pandian on Sunday reviewed the progress of the proposed Mahanadi Riverine Port Project. As per the directions of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the team along with other officials of Paradip Port Trust (PPT) today visited the port project site.
"Today we visited the proposed Mahanadi Riverine Port project site which will come up near Mahakalpada in Kendrapara district almost 13 km upstream from Mahanadi river mouth," said Tripathy.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Ministry of Port, Shipping & Waterways has agreed to the proposal for the Riverine Port which will be developed by PPT. A formal MoU with the Odisha government is being finalised for the project. The riverine port will come up at Akhadasali village under Mahakalapada Block in Kendrapara district, 13 Kms from the river mouth at Paradip.
The all- weather and multi-user port on river Mahanadi will be set up in PPP mode with a capacity of 54 MTPA and estimated cost of Rs.4,062 Crore.
PPT will develop necessary infrastructures like rail and road connectivity and dredging requirements of the proposed port. The Odisha government has identified 300 hectares of land for the mega project and necessary support to PPT in respect of any additional land required.
Notably in 2018, the State Govt. has decided to go ahead with Mahanadi Riverine Port and an RFQ was issued. However, the project couldn’t progress much due to lack of interest by potential bidders.
Subsequently, PPT then evinced interest in the project and the MoU is proposed to be signed with the State Govt. On commissioning, the Port will provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to more than 4000 people in the first phase and about another 1700 in the second phase, the State government said in a release.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)