The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
PARADIP, JANUARY 10, 2022
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Secretary Sanjeev Ranjan has asked the Paradip Port authorities to expedite the widening of NH-53 (Paradip to Chandikhol) through the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed between the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under Gati Shakti Programme.
During his maiden visit to the Paradip Port today, Ranjan also asked to widen the State Highway (SH)-12 from Paradip to Cuttack to four lanes on priority basis.
PPT should expedite completion of the Dhanamandal-Chandikhol rail link as an alternative to Cuttack-Paradip for movement of thermal coal from Talcher, the Secretary suggested.
The Union Secretary also asked the PPT Chairman to get sanction for the rail master plan for cargo evacuation under customer funded model to be excluded by IPRCL.
Reviewing the National Waterway-5 project, he urged the Inland Waterways Authority (IWR) to prepare a roadmap and implement the same in a time bound manner.
The Shipping Secretary also reviewed the functioning of the PPT and had interaction with Exporters, Importers, Stevedores, PPP operators, local representatives of various industries, representatives of Unions and Associations. He also had a virtual discussion with the Odisha Government and other stakeholders on the modernization of Paradip Fishing Harbour.
During his visit to the Paradip Port, the Union Shipping Secretary was extended a very warm welcome by PPT Chairman P. L. Haranadh, Deputy Chairman A.K. Bose and other senior officials. He visited the Port and witnessed the operations in the Dock area. He also evinced keen interest in the proposed Mahanadi Riverine Port by PPT during his onsite inspection. He also visited Mechanized Coal Handling Plant, Twin Wagon Tipplers at JSWPTPL and PICT berth.
A workshop on “Gati Shakti – Multi Model connectivity for Cargo transportation through PPT” will be held at Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, where the issues concerning cargo transportation through roadway, railway, waterways will be discussed in detail, to come out with a clear cut action plan for implementation, PPT sources said.
