Constraints and bottlenecks are still hindering the growth of Paradip Port. Paucity of land required for expansion of the port, poor rail connectivity and lawlessness in and around the port township dominated the Port Trust Board proceedings recently.“Paradip Port is the prized possession of Odisha. It is on the path of massive expansion programme. It would give an economic uplift to the State. The growth of the port would give fillip to shore-based industries in the State”, said Mr. S. Ananth Kumar Bose, Chairman of the port.
He also dwelt on the policy of the Government of India for maritime improvement. He added that the Ministry of Shipping has approved Paradip Port Development Plan consisting of development of channel to handle ship of 1,25,000 DWT, construction of coal and iron ore berth on BOT basis, construction of clean cargo berth and addition of two single busy moorings.
The foundation stone for the port was laid by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on Jan. 3,1962. The first berth, an iron ore berth, was commissioned in 1966. Currently, the port has 14 berths and a single point mooring with the total capacity of 70 mt and the traffic throughput is around 55/56 mt annually.
“There is no end to the land dispute between the State Government and the Port Trust. It needs to be amicably settled at the earliest or else future expansion of the port would suffer the most”, pointed out Mr. Damodar Rout, Minister and Paradip MLA.
Mr. Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Jagatsinghpur MP, voiced concern over the fast-declining law and order situation in and around Paradip Port. It does not augur well keeping in view that the region is witnessing massive industrialization upsurge. The modern healthcare facility is conspicuous by its absence. Consequent on the port’s growth, it needs to be prioritized, he felt.
The port had a humble beginning with 4.5 lakh cargo handling when it began operational in 1966. Now as it completes 50 years of its commissioning, the cargo handling has shot up manifold reaching 560 lakh tonne per annum, the Chairman stated.
The capacity of the major port has witnessed massive growth during the past five decades. While it was 2 lakh metric ton in 1966, it has shot up to 760 lakh ton. The port, according to the Chairman, has envisaged ambitious expansion plans to augment the capacity to 250 mt with 28 berths by 2020. The estimated investment could be around Rs. 10,000 crores or so. After completion of the capacity expansion work, the port would be one of the country’s top most ports.
The Chairman added that the expansion of the operation area of Kolkotta Port nor the proposed Posco captive port would affect the Paradip Port. “The Dhamra Port may affect the business of Paradip Port. But it is good because we welcome competition and that it would improve our efficiency as well,” Mr. Bose observed.
Plan is afoot to develop an additional cargo-handling facility at a distant location. We have submitted a proposal to the State Government for a satellite port at Bahuda Muhan in Ganjam District. We have sought for Government’s assistance for the required land. The project is now at an infant stage, he told this reporter.
“There are certain pressing issues that need to be addressed at the earliest. Talks with the State Government for transfer of 6,382.07 acres of land to the port are moving on a positive direction. We are quite optimistic that it would be settled very shortly. We have sought for expeditious completion of Paradip-Haridaspur rail link. The Railways Ministry has assured us to get it ready by 2015”, he concluded.
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