The hurdle for establishment of the proposed Subarnarekha Port seems to be eased with the Centre green-signalling the ambitious project in northern Odisha.
Earlier, the Air Force authorities were not providing requisite clearances for setting up of the port. Official sources say that the Air Force authorities claim to have their “Practice limit Zone” falling under the Subarnarekha Port limit.
As the proposed port area is falling in the Indian Air Force (IAF) notified Air to Air Range area, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Air Force was needed.
Union Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra held a high level meeting with Chief Secretary AP Padhi recently at New Delhi and favored the setting up of the port proposed on the mouth of the river Subarnarekha. Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) of IAF was also present in the meeting, said sources.
Besides, Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan, Principal Secretary Commerce and Transport Sanjay Rastogi and Special Secretary Commerce and Transport Manoj Kumar Mishra were also present.
Padhi urged to have a holistic view on the project and find out a possible solution so that all activities like Air Force practice and port activities can co-exist.
Union Secretary Mitra agreed over the proposal and urged Air Force authorities to explore possible solution for development of the port coexisting with the IAF activities.
Sources said the Air Force authorities have also agreed to the proposal and the hurdle has been eased paving the way for starting construction of the port. Soon, the IAF authorities will be notifying the State Government in this regard, sources said.
The Creative Port Development Private limited (CPDPl) is setting up the port and recently, the Tata Steel has executed the Share Purchase Agreement to acquire 51 per cent stake of CPDPl. The CPDPl on January 11, 2008 had signed a Concession Agreement (CA) with the Government of Odisha to develop the port. The Tata Steel has also executed a shareholder agreement with the CPDPl and its promoters for development of the Subarnarekha Port through SPV, Subarnarekha Port Private limited (SPPl), and the shareholders agreement will take effect on closing of the share purchase agreement, said sources.
It was proposed to have at least 12 berths in the port in several phases and the earlier promoter was making endeavor in this direction with an initial capacity of 10 Million Ton Per annum (MTPA), which was to be scaled up to 40 MTPA in 10 years.
Not only Subarnarekha Port limit falls under the Air Force Practice limit, but also another proposed port at Chudamani reportedly also comes under the same zone, officials say.
In the meantime, the Environment Clearance (EC) and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances for the port have already been obtained from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest.
While the Subarnarekha Port needs 960 acres, at least 692 acres have already been acquired to develop the port, which envisages to provide direct and indirect employment to over 3000 persons, said sources.