Bhubaneswar:Two out of the 14 non-major marine and river-based ports are at present operating in Odisha, Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu told the state Assembly on Thursday.
Replying to a question from 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 Astranga in the state.
In addition to it the government, Sahu said is taking necessary steps for the establishment of ten more non-major marines ports at Bichitrapur, Bahawalpur, Chandipur, Inchudi in Balasore district, Chudamani in Bhadrak, Jatadhar Muhan in Jagatsinghpur, Astarang and Baliharchandi in Puri district, Palur and Bahujan in Ganjam district.
The government, she said is also initiating steps for setting up a river-based port at Akhadasali village under the Mahakalapada block of Kendrapara district.
The Minister said the development 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 all non-major ports.
Sahu said the government has spent Rs 16,85,400 to identify setting up 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.
