PANAJI
Union Minister for Shipping, Nitin Gadkari on Saturday announced the setting up of a new minor port at Betul which will function as a satellite port for Mormugao Port through a joint venture between the Goa Government and the Union Government.
Announcing this decision at a press conference after holding review meetings of ports and future planning, Gadkari stated that the work on the port will go ahead after it is passed by the State Cabinet and the people of Goa.
“We have submitted a proposal to the Chief Minister for the construction of a port 35 kilometres South of Mormugao Port -- a new port at Betul. This will create employment potential and also revenue for the Goa government. It will be a satellite port of MPT. We will make the whole investment,” Gadkari told mediapersons.
The new port at Betul is being planned to handle bauxite up to 50 lakh tonnes a year, and iron ore of 10 lakh tonnes annually. While the bauxite will be brought in directly through a conveyor system, the iron ore will be transported by road.
Gadkari said that subject to technical studies, the port will either feature an offshore terminal by conveyor with a draught of 17.5 metres, or near shore terminals through dredging to maintain a draught of 17.5 metres.
The Union Minister said the decision was taken in view of certain constraints experienced by Mormugao Port.
“At the Goa (Mormugao) Port we have lot of constraints regarding land, and it’s one of the reasons we cannot take decisions related to its development. So, for the development of Goa, and for creating employment potential through more export and import which will lead to more revenue for the government, we have discussed the proposal of this new port with the Chief Minister, CS and his Council of Ministers,” Gadkari informed.
“Today, we have submitted the proposal to the CM. He is very positive and keen on this project. But his request is that he will take the proposal to the Cabinet and also he will take opinion of the people, and after that, he will give the clearance, and subsequently we will start the work,” Gadkari said, adding that the project would require around 150-200 acres of land, of which 75 acres is already in the possession of the State government.
According to Gadkari, the Goa government would have to provide the land, and the value of the land would be converted into equity which will be Goa's share in the joint venture.
“The target of implementation is 24 months from the date of construction and the infrastructure to be put in place, that includes a conveyor system, ship loader, dust separation system, service roads, rails and road connectivity, all of which is included in the cost of Rs 1,500 crore in the first phase," he further added.
When asked whether the port would also handle coal, Gadkar said that arrangements could be made depending on the demands from industry.
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DOCKING AT BETUL
- The Centre proposes a new minor at Betul which will be a satellite port for MPT.
- Infrastructure will include a conveyor system, ship loader, dust separation system, service roads, rails and road connectivity
- It is expected to handle bauxite up to 50 lakh tonnes a year, and iron ore of 10 lakh tonnes annually
- The port will either feature an offshore terminal by conveyor with a draught of 17.5 metres, or near shore terminals through dredging to maintain a draught of 17.5 metres
- The project, that is a joint venture between the Centre and State, requires around 150-200 acres, of which 75 acres is already in Goa government's possession
- The new port, fully funded by the Union government, will create employment potential and revenue for the State government
