Maiden visit of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister,  Ports, Shipping & Waterways to Paradip Port

India , 24/04 ( Pratyusha Bureau ) : Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways made his first official visit to Paradip Port Authority as part of regular review on 24th March, 2022. He was extended very warm welcome by Chairman, PPA at Jawahar Guest House. He was given Guard of Honour by the CISF, PPA contingent. The Hon’ble Minister had an interactive session with Stakeholders of the Port & Unions at Convention Centre which was inaugurated by him. In the adjacent orchard, Shri Sonowal planted fruit bearing plants like mango, guava, lichi, water apple etc. For creating recreational facilities for inhabitants of Township sitting arrangements, pathway etc. will be developed later on. Shri Sonowal signed off the day by holding the review meeting with the officials of Paradip Port Authority. During the meeting, Hon’ble Minister reviewed on various infrastructure projects, PPA Projects, functioning of the Port, ease of business initiative, green initiative, business development activity of the Port. He gave directions to the Port to work towards augmenting its capacity to 500 MMTPA by 2030. Tomorrow Hon’ble Minister is going to do a slew of inauguration and foundation stone laying programmes. ● Inauguration of Container Scanner: The Container Scanner can scan up to 25 Trucks per hour in scan mode. The Container Scanner complies to International Security Screening standards and reduces the need for manual inspection of Containers providing high performance imaging capability with organic/inorganic material and celebration. It shall boost movement of container traffic in the Port. Cost – Rs.29.68 Crores ● Laying of Foundation Stone for 2nd exit-cum-road flyover (Gati-Shakti Project):2 nd exit-cum-road flyover as part of additional Port connectivity from National Highway at Paradip Port. This Road-cum-flyover of 2.4 kms long serve as alternative Entry/Exit option to/from the Port, facilitating in safe and congestion free movement of vehicles. It will help segregation of Cargo traffic from passenger movement to/from Port Township. Cost – Rs.93 Crores ● Inauguration of Sewerage Treatment Plant: Treatment of household sewage and utlize the treated water for sprinkling inside Harbour area, gardening etc. The treated water also supplements the water requirement for dust suppression in the Mechanised Coal Handling area. Cost: Rs.10.65 Crores ● Plantation of proposed Aayush Garden: To create awareness among the society towards medicinal plants. ● Inauguration of Paradip College Boy’s Hostel: It is a building accommodation 50 students which will eliminate the long-standing problem faced problem faced by male students of Paradip College for accommodation at Paradip. It will be utilized by under privileged students of the nearby villages who come for higher education at Paradip. Cost: Rs.1.34 Crores

the Container Scanner with Government’s Ease of Doing Business
initiative. Thereafter,. He participated in plantation drive at Paradip
Orchard. He also inaugurated the Biju Convention Centre and meeting
with Stakeholders. He also reviewed progress with officials of IDCO,
IOCL, on Paradip Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment
Region (PCPIR). During the review of progress of PCPIR, he stressed on
collaborative approach for faster development to bring overall
development of the area.
The Hon’ble Minister laid the Foundation Stone for 2nd exit-cum-road
flyover (Gati-Shakti Project). He inaugurated the Sewerage Treatment
Plant and Paradip College Boy’s Hostel. Plantation at Aayush Garden by
Hon’ble Minister Shri Sonowal.
Under CSR Activities, he distributed learning aids to School Children
and Senior Citizens. He also distributed utility kits to Paradip Old Age Home
Residents.
He addressed to the Officers and employees of Paradip Port,
Customers and Press.
The Hon’ble Minister reviewed the functioning of the Port and a
detailed presentation was also made by Chairman, PPA, which was attended
by all HoDs. Shri Sonowal hopes a bright future for PPA.