76^th Independence Day was celebrated by Paradip Port Trust Authority in a restrained manner following the COVID-19 guidelines. Shri P.L. Harandh, Chairman, PPA hoisted the National Flag.

 

Addressing on the occasion, he said that Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav intends to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

 

 Reflecting on the cargo throughput, he said that PPA is determined to cross 120 MMT of cargo handling this fiscal. Consecutively for the last 5 years, it has been handling more than 100 MMT mark and continuously improving its its productivity parameters like berth productivity, vessel turn-round time, pre-departure detection to reduce logistics costs to the customers.   Mentioning about few path braking decisions by the Union Govt. like Major Port Authorities Act notified on 3rd November 2021, he hoped that this will be a game-changer to the Port sector and take this sector to world class benchmark.  It will provide greater autonomy in decision making to the Major Ports and professionalize their governance. Government of India has recently launched the ‘PM Gati Shakti Master Plan’, at an estimated cost of Rs. 100 lakh-crore project for building ‘holistic infrastructure’ in India. Under Gati Shakti Master Plan, Government Will bring all infrastructure building Ministries together for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects. Similarly, Government has unveiled a four-year ‘National Monetisation Pipeline’ on 23rdAugust of last year which envisages engagement the private sector and tapping private sector efficiencies in operations and management of infrastructure.

Further, MoPSW has launched the Maritime Vision India, 2030. This envisages developing mega capacity ports of International standards, Port-led industrialization, Initiatives to enhance Ease of Doing Business, transform the ship building industry and develop the National Waterways. With more than Rs. 10,000 crore investment opportunity lined up, Paradip Port is now the main driver for economic growth in the Paradip region. Over Rs.3500 crores worth of projects for Port modernization have been implemented.

These are:

Ø  Clean Cargo & Container Berth at an approximate cost of Rs.430 crores.

Ø  Development of new Iron Ore Terminal at an approximate cost of Rs.740 crores.

Ø  Mechanisation of 03 existing berths in the EQ for handling thermal coal exports at an approximate cost of Rs.1440 crores.

Ø  Development of a New Coal Import Berth at an approximate cost of Rs.650 crores.

Further, the work order for development of Western Dock at a cost of Rs.3005 Crores has been awarded to M/s JSPL. On completion, this will transform the Port with facilities to handle Cape size vessels. The Haridaspur-Paradip Railway line which has been completed is a major game changer and makes Paradip Port very competitive in international trading. Similarly, the 8 laning of the Paradip-Barbil Road by NHAI will further improve the Road connectivity to the Port.

Several initiatives have been taken by the Port under Port-led industrialization which include -  Development of Multi Modal Logistics Park by CONCOR at an approximate cost of Rs.200 crores over 100 acres of land, which envisages the development of around 1.1 million sq. ft of warehousing. Development of Tank Terminal for Numaligarh Refinery Limited including laying of pipeline and transportation of crude at an approximate cost of Rs.1500 crores. Setting up of a LPG Terminal at an approximate cost of Rs.692 crores.

It is our Corporate environmental responsibility to take step to reduce pollution in and around Port. Mechanisation projects is mainly meant to reduce multiple handling of Cargo and thereby reduce dust emission. As per Maritimi Vision, the entire Port will be mechanized by 2025. PPA aims to plant 1 million trees by 2025.

 

Ø  For staff welfare, insurance coverage has been provided to over 900 employees and 800 contract workers giving coverage of Rs.5 lakhs for natural death.

Ø  Constructions of 147 residential quarters have been planned for accommodation of Port employees .

Ø  For management of COVID-19, PPA Hospital aims to provide 5,000 booster doses to the employees and their family members. 53 Nos.of COVID Patients treated at Paradip Port Authority Hospital.

Ø  The Mega Health Camp conducted On 17^th July at Languli Matha, P.O. Palai, Dist.Jajpur. 670 nos. Patients treated free of cost under CSR Scheme.

Ø  300 nos. of cataract cases will be operated under CSR activities, 10 nos. cases of cataract operation have been done till date.

Ø  Free Ultrasound checkups of 15 nos. pregnant women have been conducted under Prime Minister Surakhit Matritva Yojana (PMSMY), free of cost.

Ø  Paradip Orchad is being implemented, opposite to Biju Convention Centre, where all fruit bearing trees will be planted.

Ø  For fishermen community, the Port plans to undertake the modernization and upgradation of  fishing harbor with Rs. 100 Cr. Under PM Mastya Sampad Yojana.

Going ahead the Port has laid down sustainable eco-friendly development as the forward strategy to success. Along with it framework have been laid upon to reduce pollution, implement waste management and recycling of dredge material at the port. Several green initiatives are underway at the Port such as increasing the port power usage to solar energy, adopting to multi-clean fuel vehicles such as LNG and electric vehicles in the port, dust and pollution control as a part of corporate environment responsibility (CER) and driving greenification of the port. In future the Paradip Port is destined to not only be a Mega Port but also a Clean & Green Port.  

Thereafter, Shri Harandh awarded prizes to Employees and Covid warriors of various Departments and CISF, who have excelled in their respective work area.

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