Odisha conducts feasibility studies for 3 port projects: Govt.

This apart, pre techno-econmic feasibility studies were also being conducted for establishing ports at Bahabalpur in Balasore district and at Bahuda Muhan in Ganjam district, commerce and transport minister Subrat Tarai said.

While replying to a questions on the port development activities in the assembly, Tarai said, "We are also taking steps for conducting a long term multi-disciplinary study for another port at Bichitrapur in Balasore district," he said.

Stating that the state had already identified 13 potential locations to set up port facilities along the coast, Tarai said while a port at Dhamra in Bhadrak district had been operational since May 6, 2011, the second phase construction work of Gopalpur Port was expected to be completed by March 2013.

"We have also signed Concession Agreements with two other companies for setting up ports at Subarnarekha Mouth in Balasore district and at Astarang in Puri district," the minister said adding that land acquisition for both the projects were on.

According to agreement, the private port developers would complete constuction work within four years of availing land for port and linkage roads, Tarai said. MORE