Sonowal Inaugurates ₹427.80 Crore Projects at Paradip Port

Key facts

• Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated seven infrastructure projects worth ₹427.80 crore at Paradip Port Authority.
• The ₹352-crore capital dredging project enabled Paradip Port to achieve an 18.5-metre deep draft, allowing fully laden Capesize vessels in its inner harbour.
• Paradip Port Authority signed three concession agreements worth ₹1,580.36 crore for mechanisation of South Quay, Multipurpose Berth, and captive CQ-III berths under the Build-Operate-Transfer model.
• A ₹20-crore project with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. will extend piped natural gas connectivity to 546 residential quarters in Madhuban, making Paradip the first major port to provide PNG connectivity to its residential township.
• An Advanced Vessel Traffic Management and Information System, costing ₹15.50 crore, was commissioned to monitor vessel movement up to 20 nautical miles.
• Paradip Port Authority is targeting 100% berth mechanisation by 2030, compared with around 80% at present.
• Sonowal planted Paradip Port's one-millionth tree, continuing the port's plantation programme initiated after the 1999 Super Cyclone.