Bhubaneswar: Odisha Minister for Commerce and Transport Tukuni Sahu announced in the state legislative assembly that the government has earmarked 10 sites to develop as seaports. Though the state does not have any international waterway port, two minor ports are operational at Dhamra and Gopalpur, she said replying to a question in the Assembly on Thursday.
According to Sahu, while port construction work is on at Subarnapur and the confluence at Astarang, the state government has identified to develop of non-major ports in Puri, Bhadrak, Ganjam and Chandipur, Bichitpur and Inchui in Balasore district.
The government has signed an agreement worth Rs 16,85,400 with IIT Madras for streamlining the construction of new seaports. In addition, there is a proposal to develop a riverport on the Mahakalpada river in Kendrapada and the Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) has been paid a sum of Rs 74 crore for the survey of the port project.
All ports are being developed on a public-private partnership basis, the minister said. The government is only providing the land, the minister said.
Sahu further informed that the government has decided to set up 55 new bus stands across the state. Ten new bus stands have already been inaugurated, she said, adding, identification of land is on for the new bus stands.
