Paradip: Paradip Port chairman Rinkesh Roy said that Paradip Port is poised to become number one port in the country.
“PPT has been continuously occupying the second position, among the major ports in India for the last three years and it is now vying for the coveted top position with a slew of modernization programmes,” saod the port chairman. He said that this year the port is targeting to handle 100 million tonnes of cargo.
Roy also disclosed that for the first time one cape size vessel will be soon berthing at the inner harbour of the port.
Roy, while speaking on the occasion of the Port Day, observed on auspicious Kartik Purnima day on Saturday by the Paradip Port Trust authorities, said that Paradip Port has been taken under Sagarmala Programme for development. It has four components – Port Led Development, Port Expansion and Modernization, Community led development and Port connectivity. Under Port Led development, a Wood Park will be coming up, so that wood coming from countries like Malaysia will be processed locally. Warehousing speace of 11 lakh sq.mt. is being developed in the Multi Modal Logistics Park. This will be the one of the largest in the country and as a result Paradip will emerge as a major distribution centre in Eastern India. With Rs 3,500 crore investment rapid port expansion is taking place under which a Clean Cargo Berth will be coming up by coming January end. Similarly, development of Deep Draught Coal Berth and Iron Ore Berth on BOT basis and mechanization of Berths are continuing. Under port connectivity, thrust is being given towards completion of Haridaspur-Paradip Railway line and laying 6-laning of Expressway.
Port deputy chairman N. Vaiyapuri, chief engineer K Ramchandra Rao, and harbour master Capt.AK Mohapatra also spoke on the occasion.
