BHADRAK : ADANI Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), India’s largest port developer and part of Adani Group, on Saturday launched the phase II expansion of Dhamra port which will increase its cargo handling capacity to 100 million tonne per annum from 25 million tonne now.Inaugurating the phase II expansion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said Dhamra port is a model of modern maritime trade in Odisha and a successful example of public private partnership. “The industrial park, being set up by Adani, will unleash large-scale industrialisation in the area and create employment opportunities,” he said.
The Chief Minister, who also dedicated two bulk cargo berths, fertiliser cargo complex and barge berth complex to the people of Odisha, said the second phase expansion work will boost import and export through the port. Besides, the farmers of Odisha will get easy supply of fertiliser through the fertiliser cargo complex, he said.Describing Dhamra port as a milestone in infrastructure development of the State, the Chief Minister announced that an industrial belt will soon be developed from Paradip to Dhamra.
Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, said the phase II expansion will make Dhamra India’s largest port and serve as India’s major gateway for trade with South East Asian nations. “We would like to thank all the government officials for their support in completing this expansion which will enhance growth, trade and industry for Odisha and India,” he said.Stating that execution of the expansion project was completed before schedule, Karan Adani, chief executive officer, APSEZ, said this will help the company achieve Vision 2020 of 200 million tonne well ahead of time. “We now aim to touch 500 million tonne by 2025,” he said and acknowledged the support extended by the State Government for completion of the project.
The company engaged more than 3,000 people with 88 per cent locals for the phase II expansion. The port, located 215 km from Bhubaneswar and situated between Haldia in West Bengal and Paradip in Odisha serves as a gateway to Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and the ASEAN region.Minister of State for Commerce and Transport Nrusingha Charan Sahu, Minister for Women and Child Development Prafulla Samal, BJD MP from Bhadrak Arjun Charan Sethi and BJD MLAs from the district were among others present.