Bhubaneswar: The Odisha minister for commerce and transport Padmanav Behera Wednesday said that the State has identified 14 locations for development of non-major ports on PPP mode.
Addressing the virtual session on ‘Investment Opportunities in Odisha’ during the Maritime India Summit 2021, organized by the ministry of ports jointly with FICCI, Behera said, “The state government has formulated a policy for development of non-major ports wherein, private investors are encouraged to venture into port development through PPP (public private partnership) mode.”
In addition to Paradip Port in the major port under the Central government, there are two functional non-major ports in the state, Dhamra Port and Gopalpur Port which are being managed by private companies under revenue sharing mode with the state government. Two more non-major ports are in the pipeline at Subarnarekha in Balasore districts and Astaranga Port in Puri district of the state, the minister informed.
Mr Pradhan informed that Rs 300 crore has been sanctioned by the government for developing a dedicated economic corridor from Paradip to Barbil which would ease raw material, mineral and goods transport for large number of big industries and industrial parks existing in the region. He also reiterated that there has been lot of encouragement for private players to venture into port development. The government aims to restrict its role only to create facilities and make policy formations to support the industrial development process, he added.
The Odisha principal secretary commerce and transportation Madhu Sudan Padhi said that the State government had conducted a study with the help of IIT Chennai to ascertain the feasibility of setting up ports in different locations along the vast coastline of Odisha’s 480 kms. On the basis of the study findings the State government has invited private players to develop non-major ports in the suggested locations and operate in the BOOST (build, own, operate, share and transfer) mode.
Principal secretary industries Hemant Sharma said that ports play a significant role in the development of industries. Since, Odisha is considered the hub of mineral and metal production, there is a need for port development within the state to boost industrial development. Emphasis is also given for hinterland connectivity wherein, ports connected with good road and rail network and gas pipeline for inclusive industrial growth and nation development, he said.
The union petroleum and steel minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that Rs 300 crore has been sanctioned by the government for developing a dedicated economic corridor from Paradip to Barbil which would ease raw material, mineral and goods transport for large number of big industries and industrial parks existing in the region. He also reiterated that there has been lot of encouragement for private players to venture into port development.
AMNS CEO Dilip Oomen, Jindal Steel & Power MD VR Sharma, and Tata Steel VP (Supply Chain) Dibyendu Bose also shared their experiences of investing in the port and industrial sector in Odisha.
Paradip Port Trust chairman Vineet Kumar and deputy chairman AK Bose were the convenors for the Odisha State session at Maritime India Summit 2021.
