By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, July 28, 2018: The Odisha government on Saturday announced to set up a riverine port on river Mahanadi in Kendrapada district.

The port will come up under the public-private-partnership mode on build, own, operate, share and transfer (BOOST) basis at Akhadasali village under Mahakalpada block in Kendrapada district, officials said.

The proposal was approved at a meeting of the High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) held under the chairmanship of chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

Official sources said that in response to the Request for Qualification (RFQ) floated for the purpose, four developers have submitted their applications.

Four major port developing agencies — Hindustan Ports Private Limited, Adani Ports & SEZ Limited, Essar Port Limited and Navayuga Engineering Company Limited — have qualified in the RFP phase.

“It has been decided in the meeting to issue RFP to all four applicants to participate in RFP stage and to give in-principle approval to the project as well as to the Draft RFP, Draft Concession Agreement, Land Lease Agreement,” a release issued from chief minister’s office said.

As per the proposal, the port will be set up in two phases. In the first phase, two berths will be established for transportation of 18.43 million tons cargo per annum for which expenditure is estimated to be to the tune of Rs 2,110 crore.

The requirement of land for the initial phase development of the port has been estimated at 175 hectare.

The proposed riverine port will be connected to National Highways-53 and Haridaspur-Paradip Railway Line for transportation of cargo.

The capacity of transportation of cargo will increase from 18.43 million tons per annum to 45.88 million tons per annum, and an additional 125 hectare of land will be required, the release said.

On commissioning, the port will provide about 4,300 direct and indirect employment opportunities in the first phase, and about 10,700 in the second phase.