Paradip port needs to upgrade its infrastructure manifold in order to retain its consignments, which otherwise may be lost to private ports coming up within its vicinity If recent developments are to be followed, Paradip port’s business is likely to suffer a jolt in the coming days. The port is likely to face stiff competition with the coming of about seven private ports in Orissa, out of which three ports will be set up close to the Paradip port. It is to be noted that Adani group plans to set up its own port, ‘Adani Kalinga’, close to Paradip at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore, while Posco-India has decided to set up its own captive port near Jatadhari river. Another port to come up close to Paradip is Astrang port.
Dhamra port has already started its operations while another private port, Chudamani, will be set up in Bhadrak district. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard has already been signed by the Orissa government in October 2009 with the Aditya Birla group. Another port is likely to come up in Baleswar district, which will be constructed by Creative Port Development Private Limited.
 Paradip port may lose consignments
In this context, Atul Halan, managing director of Satyam Logistics, a mid-sized logistics firm in Cuttack, says, “There is a possibility of Paradip port losing cargoes to these private ports, which will affect the overall business of the port.”
All the aforementioned ports will be handling iron ore, container vessels and coal, among others that are currently being handled by the Paradip port. Experts are of the opinion that lack of proper infrastructure at the Paradip port, coupled with environmental pollution will further entice vessels to avail services of the upcoming private ports.
“Paradip Port is one of the important ports in eastern India. The concerned authorities must take steps to make the port more user-friendly,” says Radhakanta Roul, managing director of Radhika Express, a small-sizedlogistics service provider in Bhubaneswar. Currently, most of the berths operating at the port are water-logged with no proper drainage facility and most of the cranes lying useless for several months.
Arup Choudhury |
