Indus Valley Times

By Pravakar Sahoo                    

Paradip,Aug 16: 77th Independence Day was celebrated by the Paradip Port Authority filled with patriotic fervour, flag hoisting and cultural events. Shri P.L. Harandh, Chairman, PPA hoisted the National Flag.

Addressing the occasion, he said that various initiatives taken up by GoI under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister during the last 9 years have transformed the Indian maritime sector. The Sagarmala Programme has increased the capacity of the Major Ports from 800 MMTPA in 2015 to 1600 MMTPA by 2023. The Major Port Authority Act 2021 has propelled the dynamism and market flexibility in the Major Port Sector. Maritime India Vision 2030 has set up a platform for Major Ports to emerge as world-class Smart and Green Ports. The PM Gati Shakti master plan aims to create robust connectivity with hinterland from Ports.

 Paradip Port achieved a major milestone as fastest Major Port by clocking record cargo throughput of 52.31 MMTPA Cargo on 14th August, 2023 in FY 2023-24, by exhibiting 8.4% growth over the corresponding period of previous fiscal. The incremental growth has been 4 MMTPA, which is the highest among the all Major Ports of the Country. If the trend continues, under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Union Minister of MoPSW, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Ji, PPA will be able to emerge as the top cargo handling port of the country. The Port’s performance has been recognized as it has received three prestigious awards in the Sagar Shrestha Sammaan 2023 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. These include the No.1 Major Port Award for Overall Annual Performance, Port with Highest Incremental Improvement for Cargo Handled and award for Best Performance for Ship Berth Day Output in FY 2022-23.

The Port has added 55 MMTPA of Capacity including 30 MMTPA of berth mechanisation in the recent 5 years. Presently the Port capacity stands at 279 MMTPA, the highest among Major ports. The Port has recently signed Concession Agreement with M/s Jindal Paradip Port Limited for development of 25 MMTPA Western Dock Project, construction for which will commence shortly. This will take the Port capacity beyond 300 MMTPA upon its completion. I would like to emphasize that this Western Dock project will enable the port to handle fully laden Cape size Vessels requiring draft upto 18 mtrs. This will bring economy of scale to the profitability of the customers.

As part of Maritime India Vision 2030, Paradip Port will evolve as a world class mega port with over 400 MMTPA capacity by 2030 through its capacity augmentation projects. All the berths of the port will be mechanised which will bring about enhanced productivity, eco-friendly cargo handling and reduced logistics cost for the customers. For this, over 80 MMTPA capacity addition projects are in pipeline to be completed by FY 2030. Looking beyond it, the Port envisions to take its capacity to over 500 MMTPA by the AmritKaal 2047.

Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Paradip Port has been identified as one of the Major Ports to be developed as a hydrogen hub. For this, development of Port facilities are planned by Paradip Port for which preparation of Feasibility Report & Model Studies are underway to finalize the layout of the dock including backup areas keeping safety aspects in mind. As a part of its plans to drive the adoption of hydrogen and its derivatives such as ammonia & methanol as propulsion fuel for ships, Port plans to procure hybrid tugs from Cochin Shipyard. Paradip Port is jointly conducting a project study for converting the Port into a Green Port at National Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) under The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

Shri Haranadh lauded the medical team comprising of nine paramedics of PPA Hospital which was deployed to tragic train mishap site at Bahanaga Railway Station, Balasore for 10 days with Five ambulances and medical supplies for relief and rescue operation.

For the Fishermen community, Government of India under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has approved Up-gradation & Modernization of Fishing Harbour at Paradip at an Estimated Cost of Rs 108.91crores. The projects are being implemented through Paradip Port and are under construction. On completion, this will transform Paradip fishing harbour as a world class fishing harbour with new and improved facilities for serving the fishing boat operators, fish processors, exporters and other stakeholders.

He urged upon the denizens of Paradip, with their unwavering support and the collective will of our nation, PPA will continue to script remarkable success stories which exemplifies growth, sustainability, and a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.

Thereafter, Shri Haranadh awarded prizes to winners of various competitions held among local school children & Officers and employees of various departments, who have excelled in their respective work area. Later on he awarded winner and Runners up Trophies to the marching contingents.

Embracing the spirit of Meri Maati Mera Desh and Vasudha Vandhan campaigns, Shri Haranadh embarked on a green journey with plantation of 75 saplings at STP-3 of Bhima Bhoi Colony. Panch Pran pledge was also administered. Before this, a Toilet and modified GYM were inaugurated in the Gopabandhu Stadium Complex by Chairman, PPA. For the sake of the employees, Vehicle Parking shed at Gate No.-4 and new turf of Badminton court at Officers’ Club were also inaugurated coinciding with Independence Day celebrations. Jagannath Lalita Kala Sansad, the Cultural Wing of PPA organized a Poets’ Meet on Patriotic theme at Officers’ Club. An exhibition Football match was held in the afternoon between GKS and Morning Club of Paradip. In the evening, inter-school dance competitions on patriotic theme were held among school children at Biju Convention Centre. The winners were awarded by Chairman and Dy. Chairman, PPA.