Port developers to prepare feasibility reports for road connectivity

Feasibility reports to be submitted to National Highway Authority of India for vetting

Developers of non-major ports in Odisha will prepare feasibility reports on four-lane road connectivity to port sites as per a directive from the state government.

The feasibility reports are to be submitted to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for vetting.

The cost of road and rail connectivity for non-major port projects will be borne equally by the Union ministry of shipping & highways and the port promoters.

Earlier, the Odisha government had submitted a Rs 1,200-crore plan to the  for offering road and rail connectivity for the upcoming non-major ports.

The state government had also requested the Union ministry of shipping to introduce a policy so as to provide rail and road connectivity to the minor ports as in the case of major ports.

The ministry which had constituted a committee for this purpose had come out with a cost sharing formula according to which the cost for developing rail and road connectivity for the minor ports would be shared between the Centre, the Odisha government and the port developers in the state in the ratio of 50:30:20.

However, the Odisha government had clarified it would not be in a position to bear the cost of developing the rail and road infrastructure for minor port projects.

In case of Dhamra port where the rail link is already operational, the cost will be adjusted against the concession fees to be paid by the developer.