MMB gives Deloittee mandate for Redi port plan

The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) has appointed consultant Deloittee Touche Tohmatsu for developing Redi port at an estimated cost of Rs 11 crore.

"We have hired Deloittee as consultant for developing Redi port in Maharashtra. After the feasibility report, we will invite open tenders from private parties for constructing new facilities," a senior MMB official said.

At present, this minor port located at the border of Maharashtra and Goa is having two jetties for handling minerals such as iron ore and bauxite.

"We are planning to construct a 60 metre new jetty and refurbish old and unutilised jetty. This will take the total number to four," the official said.

The proposed plan would also include construction of a direct approach road to the port from the main road and conducting techno-economic feasibility study, he said.

According to sources, the port is currently handling 17 shipments of various minerals and clean cargo.

"At present, Redi port is handling over 4.5 lakh tonne of cargo per year. This is expected to go up to 11 lakh tonne with the industrial development in the surroundings," he said.

The Redi port would mainly handle barge operations to unload iron-ore and bauxite from the mainline vessels, he added.