The Dhamara port, a non-major deep-sea port jointly promoted by two of India’s noted business conglomerates- Tata Steel and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is keen on expansion and is considering proposals for building LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal.
The port authorities are also interested in ramping up berth capacity and are aiming to position this maiden minor port project in Orissa as one of the major projects executed in the country over the next 10 years.
“We have contributed two berths. This project has got a lot of potential and we would like to expand this project. Already, there are proposals to build several terminals and we are considering these proposals”, said Y M Deosthalee, chairman cum managing director L&T Finance and chairman of DPCL said at the official inauguration of the port project.
He did not name the investors for terminal projects nor did he spell out future investment plans. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and Petronet LNG are understood to have given proposals for building LNG (liquefied terminal gas) terminal within the port premises of DPCL.
“This project is a landmark project envisaging an investment of over Rs 3500 crore. It was possible for us to complete financial closure of this project with the help of our banks”, he added.
According to the state Chief Secretary B K Patnaik, the capacity of Dhamara port is expandable to 13 berths. The Dhamara port master plan provides for 13 berths capable of handling more than 100 million tones of dry bulk, break bulk and containerized cargo.
The port will be handed over to the Orissa government after 30 years, he stated.
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The shipping secretary K Mohan Das termed the Dhamara port project as a landmark in maritime progress in Orissa.
“Indian port capacity is totally inadequate for the economic growth that the country is striving for. Our current port capacity is more than three billion tones at present and it needs to be multiplied three times by 2020. The Dhamara port is an impressive addition to our port capacity growth”, he said.
The state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “A new port has been inaugurated at Dhamara. The port project is an important milestone in Orissa’s economic progress. The Dhamara port has been set up 50 years after the establishment of the Paradeep port. There are manifold opportunities for Orissa’s growth and infrastructure is the key to the state’s prosperity.”
Stating that his government was emphasizing on local employment, Patnaik said, “I am happy to learn that the Dhamara port has been giving emphasis on engaging locals.”
The Dhamara port, considered to be one of the deepest sea ports in the country with a draught of 17.5 metres has been taken up after acquisition of land in 74 villages. The port is capable of handling Capesize vessels up to 180,000 dead weight tonnage (dwt).DPCL is the biggest investor among all the proposed minor port developers, with its investment till the second quarter of 2011-12 standing at Rs 3570.35 crore.
The port developer that has already begun operations, has invested Rs 762.79 crore, Rs 1088.26 crore and Rs 1059.40 crore in 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively. In 2011-12, DPCL has invested Rs 60.45 crore till the end of September.