It is reported that after receiving stocks of iron ore by goods trains recently, the Gopalpur Seasonal Port is now all set to receive a cargo vessel as the first customer of the current season.
Gopalpur Seasonal Port, earlier managed by the Orissa government, was handed over to Orissa Stevedores Limited last year, to develop it into a full fledged all season port, on a build own operate share transfer basis for a concession period of 30 years. It was over an area of 282.755 acres while the planned all season port will come up on an area of 513.786 acres.
As per the notification by the state government, the district administration already initiated measures to hand over the land to OSL, besides leased out some stone quarrys to use the same for the construction of the all weather port.
As per initial plans, the port would be developed in 2 phases at a cost of INR 720 crore. The first phase would involve the up gradation and rehabilitation of the existing minor port at a cost of INR 20 crore. Phase II involves an investment of INR 700 crore for the development of the port into an all season one. After completion of 30 years, the developed port will be in the hands of the state government.
