Develop infrastructure at existing ports: Chief secy

Bhubaneswar: Development of coastal shipping through Sagaramala Project would reduce the congestion on rail and national highways, said Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi while addressing the national-level workshop on ‘Promotion of coastal shipping and Inland Navigation in India’ here on Thursday.
“Transportation through coastal shipping is cost effective and environment friendly. It reduces the logistic cost of the cargo and makes business more competitive in the world market,” he said.
The Chief Secretary said Odias were known as sea faring race for their glorious maritime trade. “It is matter of concern that the shipping and coastal route has taken a back seat in transport sector in recent days despite its comparative advantage over rail and road transport,” he said.
Padhi requested Ministry of Shipping to develop cargo handling infrastructure in the existing ports of Paradip, Dhamara and Gopalpur. He also mentioned about the need for evacuation of coal from the mines of Mahanadi Coal Fields.
In recent days, MCL has enhanced its production and there is a need for quicker evacuation of the excavated coal from its mining area. Padhi requested Sagaramala Project Authorities to take initiatives for evacuation of coal from MCL mining fields to the ports so that those could be transported to destination points through sea route.