Gopalpur port Phase-II to be completed by 2010

The second phase work of the Gopalpur Port, being developed by Gopalpur Ports Limited (GPL), is expected to be completed by October 2010. The company has submitted the detailed project report (DPR) for the second phase work which is under the consideration of the Orissa government, minister of state for transport and commerce Sanjeev Kumar Sahoo said.

The company commissioned the first phase (anchorage port) in January 2007 and has handled a cargo of 5,43,195 metric tonne through 29 ships since then. The minister said, during the bidding process, the consortium led by the Orissa Stevedores Ltd. (OSL) projected a capital expenditure of Rs 720 crore for the port. This includes Rs 20 crore for upgradation and rehabilitation of existing lightrage port in the first phase.

The second phase work is divided into two stages with the first phase comprising of civil and marine works worth Rs 483 crore and second stage envisaging another Rs 217 crore investment. However, GPL has indicated the total investment to be Rs 2000 crore in the second phase DPR which has been submitted to the state government. The revised investment proposals include Rs 150 crore in the first phase, Rs 1100 in the second phase and Rs 750 crore for further expansion.

Regarding the progress of the project, Sahoo said, the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has given its consent for the project and it has obtained the no-objection certificate from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) for withdrawal of ground water on 12 March 2009. The company has been asked to obtain the environmental clearance from the Union ministry of environment and forests and coastal zone management authority (CZMA). The company has so far invested Rs 110 crore.
Source: Business Standard and http://www.gopalpurports.com/