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Mormogao port to double area, enhance operations

Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji

In order to make it a multi-commodity port for exports, the Mormugao Port Trust is planning to reclaim more land in the Arabian Sea by the end of the century, and thereby more than doubling its existing area.

Its will be the second reclamation for the century-old port, which was built by the Portuguese at the fine natural Mormugao harbour. While reclaiming land from the sea, it was also linked with the metre gauge railway line built by the British.

The port authority will reclaim around 700 acres of land in the Vasco bay. The reclamation will sustain the port's estimated activities for the next 50 years, says Mormugao Port Trust Chairman Dr Jose Paul.

Following the Japanese pattern, the reclamation activity will also deepen the channel by 16.8 metres, parallel to the existing channel.

The MPT has also signed an agreement with Bombay-based ABG Heavy Industries to develop two berths at the existing port on the BOOT (Build, Operate, Own, Transfer) basis. The Rs 2.24 billion project, to be completed by AD 2000, will be given on a 30-year lease.

With most modern facilities at hand, the port is preparing to pull in cargo traffic from the Bellary-Hospet sector in Karnataka as well as the west coast sector once the Konkan Railway and the South-Central Railway are fully commissioned.

The port authorities have also found a solution to the frequent power breakdown it has been facing since September, causing it to reduce its output by 15 per cent. The port will now purchase power from the upcoming Salgaoncar-Reliance power project, which has been authorised by the state to sell its additional 10 mw power privately after selling 40 mw to the government.

EARLIER REPORTS:
BJP flays Reliance-Salgaoncar power project
Goa govt allows pvt project to sell excess power