Odisha launches Rs.2,110 cr port project

The Odisha government has floated Request for Qualification (RFQ) for the construction of a riverine port on the mouth of river Mahanadi at an investment of Rs.2,110 crore. The proposed port will come up at Akhadashili village in Mahakalpada block of Kendrapada district for which many major investors have shown interest to invest in a big way. The PPP port facility is exactly located adjacent to industrial sites next to National Highway-5(A) and on the right bank of the Mahanadi river with rail connectivity being only 6 km to Haridaspur-Paradip rail corridor. Mainline investors like Hindustan Ports Private Limited, Adani Ports and SEZ Limited, Essar Port Limited, and Navayuga Engineering Company Limited have been shortlisted for the RFQ as they have evinced keen interest and participated in the process of RFQ. The riverine port project would cater to the needs of mineral-rich Odisha, as well as Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh and will be a common user port for various industries and mines in these States. While iron ore and pellets, raw fertilizer, alumina and raw crude oil will be imported through the port, finished crude oil, steel and steel products, chromite, mineral sand and bauxite would be shipped out of the port.