Phase-1 of Gopalpur Port to be completed by March 2013

Cargo-handling capacity pegged at 3.5 million tonne with construction of one berth initially

The first phase of Gopalpur port being developed by Gopalpur Port Ltd is likely to be completed by March, 2013, an official said. "The work is under progress and all efforts are being made to begin cargo handling by March 30, 2013," one of the directors of GPL M M Moharana said. 

The cargo-handling capacity would be around 3.5 million tonne with the construction of one berth initially, he said. GPL will construct three berths -- coal, iron and multipurpose in the same year, he added. Besides the port work, other supporting infrastructure like power distribution system, railway and road connectivity are under process to meet the deadline, he said. He, however, said construction was hampered due to agitation by some people.

 "We are trying our best to meet their demands. We have decided to involve some prominent persons of the area, including local MLAs (Gopalpur and Chhatrapur and MP from Berhampur) to sort out their problem," Moharana said. The company director said the Gopalpur Port Dock Workers' Union affiliated to the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) threatened to launch an agitation following injury of a worker allegedly due to attack by the GPL officials.

 Company officials, however, claimed that the attacker was not an employee of the Gopalpur Port Ltd. GPL was awarded the project for the development of an all weather port by the state government with an investment of around Rs 1,700 crore in 2008. "We have already invested around Rs 320 crore so far in the port project," Mohrana said.

Source: Business Standard

Airports Authority of India to conduct feasibility study for development of airport near Gopalpur

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has suggested Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ajit Singh to provide adequate infrastructural support to the aviation sector in the state for ensuring unhindered industrialisation and flow of tourist traffic to Odisha. The Chief Minister impressed upon the Union Civil Aviation Minister that there was an urgent need to take up the development of airstrips at Gopalpur and Jeypore in Southern Odisha and asked the Union Minister to take up feasibility studies to develop these into airports. The chief ministe said the state does not have adequate air connectivity. It has only one operational domestic airport in Bhubaneswar which is also deprived of international operations. Official sources said the Union Civil Aviation Minister suggested that Odisha should also explore the possibility of developing new airports in PPP mode and assured that Airports Authority of India will conduct necessary feasibility studies for the development of Jeypore and Gopalpur airstrips.

The Chief Minister urged the Union Minister to declare Biju Patnaik Domestic Airport as an international airport without delay and fulfill the pending legitimate demand of air connectivity of the state. Mr Patnaik requested the Minister for starting international operations from Bhubaneswar to Middle East and South East Asian countries by Air India and other domestic airlines.  He also suggested that Ministry of Civil Aviation should initiate the process of promoting Odisha as a world-class tourist destination and provide necessary support for holding a major conference in Bhubaneswar in the early part of 2013.

He apprised the Union Minister that the state has witnessed huge investments in various sectors and the total investment of the state stood at Rs.3.21 lakh crore during the calendar year 2011, also considered the highest in the country. Similarly, there has been also a significant increase in the inflow of domestic and international tourist traffic to Odisha, Mr Patnaik said and stressed the urgent need for improved air connectivity. The chief minister said the state has approved an allotment of 191 acres of land for development of Jharsuguda airport and requested the Union Minister to take urgent steps for developing Jharsuguda Airport, including expansion of its airstrip and other necessary infrastructure.