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The state government has urged developers of non-major ports to submit the proposals for forest clearances with the required documents like gram sabha resolutions, DGPS (differential global positioning system) survey and FRA (Forest Right Act) certificate by January 31.
The port promoters have also been asked to submit detailed work plans of their projects along with milestones and timelines.
The state chief secretary J K Mohapatra on Monday reviewed the status of different port and railway projects.
Issues relating to forest and environmental clearances, social and environmental impact study, DGPS survey, land acquisition, award of contracts and securing bank guarantee by the port developers were discussed at the meeting.
The district collectors have been asked to expedite land acquisition and payment of compensation for various port projects, said commerce and transport secretary G. Mathivathanan.
It was also decided that the port developers should seek prior permission of the state government before signing memorandum of understanding (MoU) with any third party for project development activities.
To ensure timely and efficient execution of railway projects, it was decided that the concerned engineers of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) will report on day-to-day progress to the managing director of the special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed for the implementation of the projects.
Among the non-major port projects, Dhamra and Gopalpur ports have begun commercial operations.
However, Gopalpur port has suffered severe damages to its infrastructure due to cyclone Phailin recently. “A detail survey of the damages will be completed this week. After that remedial measures will be taken. It will take another 6 to 7 months to bring the port back to operation,” said Mahimananda Mishra, managing director of Gopalpur Ports Ltd.
Dhamra Port Company Ltd (DPCL), a 50:50 joint venture between Tata Steel and L&T, is awaiting environment clearance for its second phase expansion.
The port has lined up an investment of Rs 10,000 crore to augment capacity of the port to 100 million tonne per annum (mtpa) up from 25 mtpa at present. In its second phase operation, the port would be equipped to handle diversified cargo.
The state government had signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chennai-based Creative Port Development Ltd for a port project on the Subarnarekha river mouth. The port would have an initial capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) which was to be scaled up to 40 mtpa in 10 years.
The government has also approved the establishment of a minor port at Astaranga in Puri district by Hyderabad-based Navyug Engineering Ltd.
The initial port capacity is pegged at 25 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) with an investment of Rs 7,417 crore. The port capacity will be eventually scaled up to 70 mtpa.
The port requires about 3,000 acres of land, out of which 2000 acres are private land. Meanwhile, the local villagers have intensified agitation against the project after issue of requisite notification for land acquisition by the government.
