The Hindu Business Line : Paradip port seeks nod for revised estimate of dredging

The job presupposes removal of an estimated 15 million cubic metres of silt from the channels to achieve a draft of 16 metres at the proposed deep draft berths compared with the 12.5-metre available in the present berths.

Kolkata , Nov. 13

The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) has sought the Shipping Ministry's approval for the revised cost estimate of the dredging work proposed to be undertaken to deepen the navigable channel, both approach channel and entrance channel, of the port.

The delay in the implementation of the project has pushed up the cost from Rs 136 crore to around Rs 235 crore, it is learnt.

Silt removal

The improvement in draft will help PPT handle super panamax vessels (1,20,000 dwt), which is not possible now.

Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) has already been selected for the job.

"As soon as we get the Government approval of the revised estimate, we will issue order asking DCI to start the work," said a spokesman for the company, pointing out, "it will take a year or so to complete it".

It might be noted that DCI did not respond to the dredging tender first floated by PPT in December last year. Only foreign dredging firms bid.

The tender was subsequently cancelled for whatever reasons. DCI responded after the re-tendering.

RITES findings

Meanwhile, PPT is waiting for RITES Ltd, the Indian Railway subsidiary, to finalise its findings on the proposed west dock complex.

"We hope that RITES will submit its report by December," said the spokesman.

Adding he said that there were proposals to construct several new berths in the proposed west dock system.

"All the new berths, as per the Government's present policy, will be built by way of private-public partnership (PPP)," he observed.

The PPP Appraisal Committee of the Union Government would soon firm up its opinion on the deep draft iron ore and coal berths proposed to be built at the port.

RITES has already given its report.

The cost of the iron ore berth is estimated at Rs 800 crore and that of the coal berth at Rs 600 crore or so.