Paradip port plans capacity expansion

KOLKATA: Paradip Port Trust (PPT) has drawn up a major expansion plans to increase its installed cargo handling capacity of 51.4 million tonnes to 106.4 million tonnes by 2011-2012. For this expansion, the company will add eight berths within five years.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of an interactive session organised by Federation of Indian Export Organisation, PPT chairman K Raghuramaiah said: ���The estimated capital expenditure for these eight additional berths is Rs 1,478 crore. This will be set up on a private-public partnership model. The PPT will contribute Rs 300 crore for setting up these berths. We will help the private partner create the necessary channels that are important for setting up a berth.��� It now has 14 berths which handle 38 million tonnes of cargo.

PPT has decided to set up two berths for handling imported coal and coke at a capital outlay of Rs 878 crore. ���A number of steel plants and other allied industries are coming up in the port���s hinterland, which is why the two berths are necessary for upcoming projects. We will float tenders for the two berths within two months. It will take three years to set up these two berths,��� the chairman added.

Apart from these two, Paradip Port plans to set up another six berths ��� one each for containers and fertilisers, two for export of steel products and another two for multi-purpose cargo. RITES is carrying out the feasibility study for these berths. ���Total capital outlay for these six berths is Rs 600 crore,��� said the PPT chief.

The 45-year old PPT has submitted a Rs 253 crore plan to the ministry of shipping for setting up an alternative channel for hassle-free cargo movement. ���At present, PPT is able to handle vessels of 75,000 tonnes. But with this new channel, our port will be able to allow entry of large vessels of 1.25 lakh tonnes,��� Mr Raghuramaiah said.

Initially, the cost of the project was pegged at Rs 154.84 crore. But PPT was forced to revise it as the dredging cost has gone up significantly. ���We will provide one-third of the project cost,��� the chairman said.