Bhubaneswar: Two out of 14 non-major marine and river-based ports are at present operating in Odisha, Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu told the state Assembly Thursday.
Replying to a question from MLA Bhaskar Madhei (BJP), the Minister said two non-major ports — Dhamra and Gopalpur — have become operational and work is on for setting up two more ports at Subarnarekha confluence point and Astaranga in the state.
Additionally, the state government has taken necessary steps for the establishment of ten more non-major marine ports at Bichitrapur, Bahabalpur, Chandipur, Inchudi in Balasore district; Chudamani in Bhadrak district; Jatadhar Muhan in Jagatsinghpur district; Astaranga and Baliharchandi in Puri district; Palur and Bahuda Muhana in Ganjam district, Sahu informed.
Odisha government has decided to set up a river-based port at Akhadasali village under Mahakalapada block in Kendrapara district, Sahu added.
The Minister said the development work of all non-major ports is being done in the state on Public Private Partnership. The state government has provided land on lease for setting up non-major ports.
The state government has spent Rs 16,85,400 to identify locations of non-major ports at 13 places for rationalisation through IIT Madras and Rs 74,50,00,000 to WAPCOS for preparing a feasibility report to set up a river-based port in river Mahanadi.
UNI