(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM)
Independence Day was celebrated by Paradip Port Trust Authority with a great passion following the COVID-19 guidelines. Rinkesh Roy, Chairman, PPT unfurled the National Flag and reviewed the parade in which 3 contingents of CISF, participated.

Addressing the gathering, he said that The Port first crossed the coveted 100 MMPTA in FY 2017-18 and has now become the No.1 Major Port in the country for the 1st quarter of FY 2020-21. While this achievement gives immense happiness, which is shared by people all across the state of Odisha, but we have to now shoulder even bigger responsibilities to retain the No. 1 position in the country. With berthing of “M V Damu Bhum”, the container vessel from Port Klang in Malaysiaan EXIM service has started in the Port, to export polymer products from Paradip refinery. This service will further help hundreds of small entrepreneurs of Odisha.

Cargo handling operations have commenced in the newly developed Iron Ore (Export) Berth of 10 MTPA capacity. Development of New Coal Berth for handling of Coal Imports on BOT basis (PPP), of 10 MTPA Capacity, with an estimated cost of Rs. 655.56 Crs. is in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Mechanization of EQ-1, EQ-2 & EQ-3 berths, of 30 MTPA Capacity, with an estimated cost of Rs. 1437.76 Crs. is in progress and is also expected to be completed by the year end. LPG Terminal at South Oil Jetty is being developed by IOCL of 0.75 MTPA capacity at an estimated cost of Rs. 690 Crores, is expected to be completed by March 2021. The Port has taken up the project of “Deepening and optimization of Inner harbour facilities including development of Western Dock”, of 25 MTPA Capacity, on PPP mode to handle Cape size vessels, with an estimated cost of Rs. 3004.63 Crs., which is now in Government approval stage. MoU for a Riverine Port in the Mahanadi River mouth at Paradip (i.e. Port within a Port), is under process for signing with the State Government. As a part of development of Smart Industrial Port City, Paradip Port will segregate its cargo traffic from the passenger traffic, for which a second exit road-cum-fly over shall be implemented at a cost of Rs.92.00 crores. This will ensure safety in road movement and clean environment to the commuters. Another bridge shall also be constructed adjacent to the old Atharbanki Bridge for congestion free movement to the Fishery Harbour Road and the Port premises.

PPT is a glowing example of how the Central and State Govt. have put their combined efforts for meeting the Covid challenge. PPT Authority has signed MoU with Odisha Govt. for dedicated 65 bedded Covid Care Hospital, which is functional at Biju Yatri Niwas, Paradip. PPT has sanctioned Rs. 2.00 Cr.A 200 bed COVID Care Center has been recently inaugurated at PPT Trade Center Building. It is beautifully made in shortest possible time where asymptomatic and mild symptoms patients from the locality, can be treated. District Administration has appreciated our gesture of sparing the building. PPT has also established a 50 bedded Covid Care Center at the “Port Club”, for its employees.

As the Port tries to maintain operational efficiency, it is also striving to be efficient in keeping the port neat and clean through routine sanitization and by maintaining social distance norms. Dedicated teams regularly carry out disinfection activities inside port prohibited area besides ensuring mandatory use of face masks by all the personnel. Disinfectant fumigation is being undertaken in the Port Township, PPT Administrative Building, Quarantine Centres and PPT Hospital by deploying Mist Cannons. State-of-the-Art Respiratory Infection Isolation ward is going to be constructed soon within the existing PPT Hospital premises to treat Covid-19 like diseases. During Cyclone “Amphan”, the Port took active steps to ensure uninterrupted availability of electricity and drinking water. The food distribution among the evacuees at cyclone shelters, even found mention in the Prime Minister’s “Man ki Baat”.

Thereafter,Roy awarded scholarships to Class X toppers in different education boards among the schools of the Port township. Parents of the students received the scholarships on behalf of them. PPT hospital, Marine Pilots, Mist Cannon operators undertaking sanitisation works were felicitated as “COVID WARRIORS”. 3 CISF personnel, who have recovered from Corona were also felicitated on the occasion.