MPA Dy Chairman G P Rai during the Republic Day function on Thursday.
VASCO
Mornugao Port Authority (MPA) Dy Chairman G P Rai on Thursday said the new trend of export of iron ore from Karnataka through rail will boost port traffic substantially.
Addressing a large gathering during the Republic Day function, Rai also added that the financial year 2023-24 would be very challenging and favourable for the port’s growth.
"In 2021-2022, MPA completed and commissioned projects like Jetty No 4 at River Mandovi and laid the foundation for Development of International and Domestic Cruise Terminal, Ferry Service and Allied Facilities at the cost of Rs 101.72 crore, construction of Up-Ramp connecting 4-Lane NH17-B near Ravindra Bhavan at Baina at the cost of Rs 26.13 crore,” said Rai.
“Other projects being implemented are construction of 12-mtr wide concrete road connecting Berths 5,6,7,8 and 9 to the new Entry/Exit Gate near Berth 11 which will be completed by May. All PPP operators and other port operators will largely benefit from direct connectivity to the four lane fly-over. We are also constructing the Four Lane Fly Over Connectivity to the Port.”
“Work of the 5.2 km connectivity from Varnapuri to Sada was commissioned in January 2022 and now, work of the 1.4 km direct connectivity to Berth 11 is in progress and is likely to be completed by December,” Rai added.
He informed that the project for re-development of Berth 9 and three Barge Jetties will be awarded to the selected PPP operator after getting EC & CRZ Clearance by December.
“The project of operations and maintenance of existing general cargo at Berths 10 & 11 on OMT–PPP mode for a period of 30 years will be awarded after obtaining approval and fulfilling all Tendering procedures by March 2024,” said Rai.
“MPA has identified various unutilised land and assets for monetisation which includes land at Dabolim, Bogda, workshop area at Baina, Port Institute Building and New and Old Port Hospital.”
Rai informed that MPA has been reeling under severe financial stress for the past several years.
“However, it is good news that the State government has gone ahead with auctioning of mines and we are expecting to commence export activities soon. In addition, the Port has managed to attract new cargo like gypsum and bauxite this year.”
“The new trend of export of iron ore from Karnataka through rail is commencing soon, which will boost port traffic substantially. Even though during the financial year 2022-23, we may not be able to perform better, the year 2023-24 will be very challenging and favourable for the Port’s growth.”
“Cruise operations had completely paralysed for two years amidst the Covid pandemic but as the pandemic subsided, cruise operations have recommenced and this year, we are expecting about 49 cruise calls. This trend will grow substantially for the coming years with the development of International Cruise terminal in the Port," said Rai.
