To set up a riverine port, the Odisha government has drawn up a plan. The proposed riverine port is the first of its kind in Odisha and it is to be built on the public private partnership (PPP) mode. However, the exact spot for the project is yet to be finalised by the State.
However,it is likely to come up at the Mahanadi river mouth near Paradeep close to the operational facilities of Essar Steel Odisha and Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (Iffco). The riverine port has been envisioned as a common user port for different industries.
Sources in the government said that around Rs 500 crore will be invested on the proposed port in the first phase. Tenders are expected to be invited within six months for the project. Both private players and major port trusts can participate in the bidding process, the sources said.