S Pallonji pushes ₹2,000-cr projects in port sector

Shapoorji Pallonji Group, which has a controlling stake in Gopalpur port off the coast of south Odisha, has fast-tracked expansion of the port at an investment of ₹2,000 crore. The expansion will augment the port's capacity to 55 million tons (mt) by 2025. The facility, which is a fair-weather deep draft facility with the ability to simultaneously handle multiple vessels and diverse cargo, is strategically located between two major ports, Paradip in the north and Visakhapatnam in the south, and is expected to create a strategic shift in cargo movement pattern on the east-coast of India. It will not only put Ganjam on the international maritime map, but also be catalytic in spearheading the economic and inclusive development of the region. Apart from generating revenue for the government, the Gopalpur port will also lead to creation of industrial hubs in the vicinity, and thereby provide significant economic benefits to Ganjam district and create direct and indirect job generation avenues for local masses. The port has a rail evacuation infrastructure and is connected to the national highway NH16 through NH 516. The enhanced infrastructure will provide optimal productivity and prompt turnaround for large vessels and varied cargo mix, said an official spokesperson.