Gopalpur Port in Odisha’s Ganjam District is expected to get operational with the commissioning of cargo handling operation by March 2013. Once the private sector port begins operation, it would be the latest addition to the fast expanding port sector in this coastal State.
Besides Paradip Port Trust, one of the major ports of the country, Dhamra Port, a joint venture of Tata and Larsen and Turbo, is in operation in the State.
“The project construction work is at present in full swing despite hindrances. The first phase of its construction would be complete in March next to get it ready for cargo handling. The nascent port armed with a sole berth would have cargo handling capacity of 3.5 million ton per annum to begin with. Later, it would go up manifold with further expansion. A blueprint has been drawn up for constructing three more berths for coal, iron ores and multi-purpose cargo handling operation”, said Mr. M. M. Maharana, a Director of Gopalpur Port Limited.
Ancillary project work for furnishing infrastructure like power distribution system, railway and road connectivity is also underway. We are quite hopeful to meet the deadline. The infrastructure work would conclude by March 2013 deadline, he added.
On the other hand, the slump in mining activities following restriction imposed by Odisha Government has begun casting adverse effect on the port sector. The annual cargo handling in Paradip and Dhamra Ports is on a steady downslide with the iron ore trade virtually coming to a grinding halt since the past one year.
As many as 13 ports were lined up to begin operation in Odisha in the wake of boom in mining sector. But the slump has jeopardized the future of these ports.
The selected sites where the ports are proposed to come up are at Subarnarekha mouth, Bahabalpur, Bichitrapur, Palur, Bahudamuhana, Balaharchandi, the Barunei muhana, Chandipur, Astaranga, Jatadharimuhana, Talsari and Chudamani. However, the port sector has failed to make much headway with construction work yet to resume in any of the port projects, said officials.
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