Odisha govt, PPT, DPCL sign MoU with IWAI for inland waterways development

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Jun 30, 2014 at 1:38 PM Updated On : Jun 30, 2014 at 4:13 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, June 30:

To facilitate cargo movement through inland waterway, the Odisha government, the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) and the Dharma Port Company Ltd (DPCL) today signed memorandum of understandings (MoUs) with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for development of National Waterway-5.

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The MoU was signed between IWAI chairman Amitabh Verma, state Commerce and Transport secretary G Mathivathanan, PPT chairman Sudhanshu Mishra and Dharma Port CEO Santosh Mohapatra at the State Secretariat here in the presence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said these organizations would work in tandem to connect and develop waterway between Talcher, Kalinganagar, Dhamra and Paradip. This would provide water transport facilities to the industrial hubs at the aforesaid areas.

Stating that the waterway will provide an economical and environmental-friendly transport system and help reduce the burden of the existing road and rail network, Patnaik said the state government would provide land free of cost and all possible assistance to fast track the project.

IWAI has taken up steps to develop the project in two phases.

The first phase of the project comprises of a stretch of 201 km between Jokadia/Pankapal(Kalinganagar) to Dhamra and Paradip ports while the second phase of the project comprises of a stretch of 131 km between Talcher to Jokadia/Pankapal(Kalinganagar).

The project would be completed within three years at a projected cost of Rs 2000 crore.

IWAI would prepare the project proposal within five months from the date of MoU and obtain necessary sanction of the estimated cost of the project with the next three months.

The state government will develop cargo terminal facilities at Pankapal/Jokadia through a joint venture/Special Purpose Vehicle with the PPT, DPCL and other stakeholders.

Besides, the PPT and DPCL would develop suitable terminal facilities in their premises as captive facilities to operate, maintain and manage cargo loading and unloading operations.