Odisha will set up Rs 4,000 crore Mahanadi Riverine Port project and ahead of signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Centre for setting up the riverine port project, a high-level delegation visited the proposed site in Kendrapara district.
The Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways has already agreed to the state government's proposal for the riverine port to be developed by the Paradip Port Trust. The project is estimated to create employment for 6,000 people.
The proposed port will come up at Akhadasali village under Mahakalapada block in Kendrapara district. The all-weather and multi-user port will be set up in public private partnership (PPP) mode with a capacity of 54 million tpa.
In Phase-I, the port will have the capacity to handle 22 million tpa cargo at an investment of Rs 2,562 crore.
While the Paradip Port Trust will develop supporting project infrastructures such as rail and road connectivity and dredging requirements of the facility, the state government has already identified 300 ha of land for the project.
The state government will also provide necessary support to the Paradip Port Trust in respect of any additional land required for the project. The state government in 2018 had decided to go ahead with the project.
However, the project couldn't progress due to lack of interest by potential bidders. The Paradip Port Trust then evinced interest in the project and consequently, the MoU is proposed to be signed with the state government.
Once commissioned, the port will provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to over 4,000 people in Phase-I and about 1,700 people in Phase-II.