Paradip Port's Outer Harbour project at bay on sliding coal demand

Paradip Port Trust (PPT), the second largest major port by cargo volumes after Kandla, has decided to keep in abeyance its 'Outer Harbour' project. Apart from the project cost of Rs 87.67 billion, an additional investment of Rs 35 billion was needed to firm up railway connectivity to the proposed harbour.
 
The project was conceptualized to ship thermal coal primarily to the southern states. But, as demand for thermal coal narrows, PPT has scaled back the plan and is instead focusing on maximizing the capacity of its inner harbour.
 
“Keeping in view the uncertain demand of thermal coal,