GPL confident of converting minor port into deep water one

Hoping to bag environmental clearance by this month end, Gopalpur Ports Ltd (GPL) is confident of converting the minor port in south Orissa into an all weather deep water one within 24 months, two years ahead of the stipulated timeframe.

"We expect to obtain the final environmental clearance by the end of this month. The phase-II development of the port at Gopalpur would begin immediately thereafter," GPL Managing Director Mahimananda Mishra told reporters here.

The all weather, deep water direct berthing port would start functioning within 24 months of getting environmental clearance instead of 48 months as stipulated, he said.

Mishra said GPL, a consortium led by Orissa Stevedors Ltd along with M/S Sara International Ltd, was able to start operation of the seasonal port within three months of having been handed over the same as against the stipulation in the terms of concessional agreement of 12 months.

Though the expert committee of Union Ministry of Environment and Forest recommended issuance of environmental clearance in April 2009, the formal clearance order is pending due to non-availability of recommendation from Orissa State Coastal Zone Managing Authority (OSCZMA), he said.

Stating that 17 consultants of international repute were engaged to conduct studies, the GPL MD said all statutory studies, investigations and engineering duly vetted by IIT-Madras are also complete.