Cabinet panel clears redevelopment of Goa port berths

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved redevelopment of two major berths and other barge berths at the Mormugao port in Goa on the public-private partnership (PPP) basis.

A statement issued after the committee meeting said that the estimated cost of the project would be Rs 1145.36 crore and it is expected to be completed within 36 months from the date of award of concession.

As part of the project, berth No.s eight and nine and other barge berths at the port will be reconstructed.

The existing 38-year-old equipment will make way for creation of new facilities for handling a variety of cargo like iron ore, bauxite, gypsum, limestone, fertilizers, steel coils and other general cargo at the port, serving ships up to 1,85,000 DWT.

The existing capacity of these old berths with the present iron ore handling equipment is 13 million tonnes per annum.

As a result of modernization of these berths, more efficient operations and utilization of deeper draft of 19.5 metres being created in the port, an incremental capacity of 6.22 MTPA would be added.

Construction activity will include creation of berths, buildings, railway lines, dredging and reclamation and installation of equipment.

The labour intensive project is expected to generate direct and indirect employment to the tune of 400 people per day.

The project is also expected to contribute to industrial growth of Goa and will have a positive effect on industries such as steel, power, iron ore, agriculture and cement, the statement said.

This project which will incorporate state-of-the-art technology to address environment concerns, is primarily meant to help export of iron ore from Goa.