Odisha govt approves second phase tendering process of Mahanadi Riverine Port

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has accorded approval for the second phase tendering process of Mahanadi Riverine Port.

The Empowered Committee on Infrastructure held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi accorded the approval for going ahead with 2nd phase of the tendering process-floating request for proposal (RFP).

Padhi directed to complete the entire bidding process by August 2018 and issue letter of award by October 2018.

The committee also approved the shortlisted companies selected after 1st phase of bidding-request for qualification.

Padhi while giving go-ahead to the project directed the department to ensure road and rail connectivity to the port.

He further directed to plan for the development of port-based industrial complex near the port.

Presenting updates on the project, Commerce & Transport secretary G. Srinivas said that as per decisions of the government, the two-stage bidding process was adopted for selecting the concessionaire for the project.

The Request for Qualification (RFQ) was issued and the proposals received were evaluated by a committee involving Finance, PPP and Law departments under the chairmanship of Commerce & Transport secretary.

Four major port developing agencies namely Hindustan Ports Private Limited,  Adani Ports  & SEZ Limited, Essar Port Limited and Navayuga Engineering Company Limited have qualified in the RFQ phase.

The documents for next stage bidding have also been prepared. The proposed project has been found technically feasible and financially viable with an expected return of 14.36 percent.

The Port will be developed in two phases. In the first phase, at least two berths of 250 meter each will be set up for handling 18.43 Million Ton cargo per annum. In the second phase, additional four berths of 250 meter each will be set up for handling 27.45 million ton of cargo per annum.

The port will be constructed in Mahakalpada block of Kendrapada district with an estimated a cost of Rs 2,110 crore. The port will need a total of 300 Ha of land, with first phase requiring 175 Ha of land.

The proposed location is adjacent to industrial sites next to National Highway-5/A and on the right bank of the river. The port is designed to cater to the needs of mineral transport of Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh.

It will be a common user port for various industries and mines in these states. It will handle iron ore and pellets, raw fertilizer, alumina, raw crude oil, finished crude oil, steel & steel products, chromite, mineral sand and bauxite etc.