The Republic Day was celebrated by the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) With Chairman PL Harandh unfurling the National Flag and stating that the PPT is determined to cross 115-MMT cargo handling this fiscal like the previous four years.
Mentioning about the path-breaking decisions by the Union Government for the port sector, he said that with over Rs 10,000-crore investment opportunity lined up, the Paradip Port is now the main driver for economic growth in the Paradip region. Over Rs 3,500 crore worth of projects for port modernisation have been implemented.
Further, development of the Western Dock at a cost of Rs 3,005 crore has been approved by the Government and is in tendering stage. On completion, this would transform the port with facilities to handle Cape-size vessels, Haranadh said.
The Haridaspur-Paradip railway line, which has recently been completed, is a major game-changer making the Paradip Port very competitive in international trading. Besides, the 8 laning of the Paradip-Barbil Road by NHAI would further improve the road connectivity to the port, he informed.
He gave a list of the several initiatives taken under port-led industrialisation.
All efforts are made to beautify parks, creek side and walking paths, etc., to make Paradip a walkers’ paradise. For the fishermen community, the port has undertaken lighting of the Fishery Harbour road and dredging of the navigational channel from the Mahanadi mouth. For fishermen, the port also plans modernisation and upgradation of the fishing harbour with Rs 100 crore under the PM Mastya Sampad Yojana, Harandh said.
He then awarded prizes to the PPT Hospital for 52,000+ Covid-19 vaccinations, employees and Covid warriors of other departments and CISF, who have excelled in their respective work area.