Dhamra port to be operational in 2010

Bhubaneswar, Nov 11 (UNI) The construction of the Rs 2,469 crore Dhamra Port project is in full swing while the construction of the iron and coal berths of the port will begin by March 2010, Commerce and Transport Secretary Suresh Mohapatra said here today.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Mohapatra said the two berths would make a business of 20 million tons. He said the discussion was going on to set up an oil berth in the port soon.

The secretary informed that out of the total projected investment of Rs 2469 crore, a sum of Rs 900 crore had already been invested.

The port project when completed would shift the business from the Haldia and Kolkota port to the Dhamra port, he added.

Presently, big ships fail to anchor either at Haldia or in Kolkata as the depth of the ports there is only seven to eight metres deep. Dhamara Port, however, with a 17 metre deep would certainly attract the big vessels, Mr Mohapatra felt.

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