Government seeks DPR for Posco port

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has asked Posco-India to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for its proposed captive port near Paradip Port as per the suggestions made by Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS). “The State Government will evaluate Posco-India’s port DPR and ensure that the suggestions made by CWPRS are properly implemented,” Commerce and Transport Minister Sanjeev Kumar Sahoo told the Assembly while replying to a question.  A technical study was conducted by CWPRS, Pune, to assess the adverse impact of Posco-India’s proposed port on the existing major port at Paradip, said the Minister. The State Government would thoroughly examine the company’s DPR while initiating process for clearances from different agencies and departments, he added.  Paradip Port Trust (PPT) authorities and Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways in 2006 had indicated that Posco-India’s proposed captive port at Jatadhari could affect the prospect of the existing port at Paradip.  “Thereafter, CWPRS was engaged to conduct a technical study on the matter relating to the possible impact,” the Minister said. The Pune-based organisation has already submitted its report suggesting certain steps to be taken by Posco-India before going ahead with its proposed captive port, he said.  However, the Minister made it clear that though the State Government had signed MoU with Posco-India for setting up a 12-mtpa mega greenfield steel unit at an investment of Rs 52,000 crore, no such pact had been inked for the port project.   The State Government has only accorded in-principle approval to Posco-India’s proposed captive port project, the Minister said. This apart, Left parties had also opposed the South Korean steel major’s proposed captive port project located in north of Paradip Port.