Bhubaneswar: Aditya Birla Group Company  on Thursday has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU )  with the Government of Orissa For Development of a Captive Port at Chudamani in the District of  Bhadrak  . In the port sector Government will cross another milestone by establishing a Port at Chudamani. It is expected that this Port will attract a large number of Port based Industries and will create substantial employment opportunities both direct ad indirect.

The Projected capacity of the Port will be 3 MTPA in Phase-1 which will be expanded subsequently to 10 MTPA. The Port will be connected by a rail corridor from Markona Station to Port site. The Total estimated cost of the Project will be Rs.1500 crore and the Company will bear the cost and operate the Port on BOO (Build Own Operate) Basis. The construction period of the Port will be 4 years.

This Port, once operational will handle bulk cargo such as Cement, Aluminium, Iron-Ore, Thermal Coal, Lime Store, Gypsum, Clinker & Copper etc.There will be 2 berths in this Port.In this Port,directly/indirectly about 5000 people will be employed. By Operation of the Port, Government will get revenue about Rs.20 Crore per annum.The Aditya Birla group will run the port on build, own, operate (BOO) basis, it added. In this port, directly or indirectly, about 5,000 people will be employed. By operation of the port, the state government will get revenue about Rs.20 crore per annum.

The Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said “ I am happy that an MoU is being signed today between Government of Orissa and the Aditya Birla Group for development of sea port Within Chudamani Limits in Bhadrak district.

As you are all aware, the Government of Orissa has formulated a Port Policy in 2004 for development of port infrastructure. Port locations have been identified in the Policy which are being developed through public private partnerships. The Government of Orissa has already signed Mous for the Ports at Dhamra, Kirtania and Astarang.

Ports already allotted and in the pipeline will provide an outlet to our marine, mineral and industrial products and will be catalysts for development of the hinterland. I suggest to all the port promoters in out State to encourage container movement which will support the initiatives of the Government to increase value-addition through downstream and ancillary projects.

I am happy that the consortium of Aditya Birla Group is promoting this port for a phased development of 10 Million tonnes with investment of Rupees 1500 crore. With 10 Million tonnes the project is estimated to yield direct revenue of Rupees 20 crore per annum to Government of Orissa.

I expect the Portpromoter to work with the District Administration and IDCO to plan and develop a port-baased industrial township. By this maximum multiplier effect for a balanced regional and social growth ca be achieved. With a investment of Rupees 1500 crores, the employment potential, direct and indirect, is estimated at 5000 jobs. The allied down stream port based units will multiply that number manifold.

With a view to making the current industrialization process sustainable, emphasis shall heve to be laid on sound envirionment management practices for protection and preservation of our precious flora and fauna. Environment friendly technologies should be adopted so that the eco-system is not unduly disturbed. I wish you all success in your endeavours.”

Says Mr. Ravi Kastia, Group Executive President, Aditya Birla Group, This is yet another milestone for us. I believe that the Chudamani Port Project will act as a catalyst in deepening co  operation and exploring new developmental activities by the Aditya Birla Group in Orissa, Our endeavour is to build a truly world class port in its category. We are confident that the Aditya Birla Group’s experience in putting up as many as six port facilities in the Western Coast, backed by the unstinting support of the Government of Orissa, will help us create a much required port in Orissa.

Principal Secretary of the Transport  and Commerce department Pradip Kumar Jena has signed the MoU On behalf of the Orissa state government and Chief Executive Officer of the Chudamani Port A.Muralidharan signed on behalf of the Aditya Birla Group . Among others  The Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei, Industries Minister Raghunath Mohanty, Transport and Commerce Minister Sanjib Kumar Sahu, Law Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh, Development Commissioner Satya Prakash Nanda and other Principal Secretaries of other different departments were present.