Gopalpur port to restart operation by December 2016

Odisha Channel Bureau Berhampur, Aug 23: With its operational activities brought to a grinding halt following cyclonic storm three years back, Gopalpur Port in Odisha’s Ganjam district is scheduled to restart its cargo handling operation by December 2016. The private port had undertaken its business operation as an all-weather port in March 2013.However, Hudhud cyclone had battered the nascent port badly.Gopalpur port, the area where the cyclone made a landfall on October 12, 2013, had borne the maximum brunt of storm and tidal surge.The port had undergone a loss at Rs.360 crore.Odisha transport and inland waterways minister Ramesh Majhi has told Odisha Assembly that it would take more than a year for the recommencement of operation of the port.Dredging, brake-water system and berth building work is in full swing.By 2016 yearend, it is being expected that the port would begin its operation afresh.At present 365 workers and personnel are on the permanent payroll of the private port while 4,776 people are on the contractual payroll, Majhi added.Once the private sector port begins operation, it would be the latest addition to the fast expanding port sector in this coastal state.The nascent port armed with a sole berth would have cargo handling capacity of 3.5 million tonne per annum to begin with.Later, it would go up manifold with further expansion.Work of infrastructure projects like power distribution system, railway and road connectivity is steadily progressing.A blueprint has been drawn up for the building up three more berths for coal, iron ores and multi-purpose cargo handling operation like shipment of iron ore, IREL products, other minerals and food grains.The port had got the clearance for its operations from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board.