Proposed Betul Port site on the Sagarmala master plan.
MARGAO
The Betul Port finds a mention in the Sagarmala Master plan at a couple of places, including the proposal to development a multipurpose terminal at Betul.
Bauxite mines are located at Betul about 35 km south of the Mormugao port. There are significant bauxite reserves at this location (over 200 MT). Therefore Mormugao Port can explore the possibility of developing a port at Betul for export of bauxite. The port at this location can also be used for handling some quantity of iron ore brought by trucks. The location plan of the proposed port site and the bauxite mines is shown in Figure 8.3 below.
This could either be a developed as a direct loading port for all weather or fair weather operations. Alternatively, a barge terminal could be planned at Betul for loading the mother ships inside the Mormugao harbour. The logistically most optimum solution could be worked out by a way of a detailed study. However, at this initial stage without having any information on the exact site characteristics in terms of bathymetry and more particularly the rock levels and onshore area available for development, only initial alternative layouts have been developed to assess the magnitude of development. It is assessed that only one breakwater would be adequate to provide the tranquil operating conditions round the year
*Alternative 1: involves offshore harbour option where the harbour area is located away from the shore. This alternative involves longer time of construction and more cost for breakwater but less for dredging.
• Alternative 2 is a coastal harbour option where the harbour area is located close to the shoreline. As compared to alternative 1, this layout involves high dredging and but requires smaller breakwater
*The report suggests need to refine to the layouts in the plan during the DFR/DPR stage after completing the site surveys and investigations and mathematical model studies duly supported by the specific study on potential traffic that could be handled at this location
*The report also makes a mention of an additional potential of handling 11 MTPA by 2025 once the Betul port takes off. The traffic projections for 2025 include commodities like wood chips, gypsum, bauxite, granite, steel coil, LPG, edible oil, cement and sand.
