BL reported that the commissioning of Dhamra Port in Orissa is likely to be delayed. The commissioning scheduled in April, may not be possible before September/October.

According to informed sources, the cost of the project is also likely to overrun the estimated INR 2560 crore by a couple of hundred crores.

A spokesman for DPC said that the expected delay is mainly on account of the delay in the completion of work related to rail connectivity adding that the port facilities will be in place before April.

The spokesman added that “We could start trans-loading operations from April itself because rail connectivity will not be critical for undertaking such operations. But trans-loading is not our objective.”

The essence of trans loading operation is large vessels with full load will call at Dhamra and discharge the cargo in smaller vessels which will then make for Haldia which cannot handle large vessels due to poor navigability of the Hooghly River or other ports, for a second round of discharge. For customers, this will involve multiple handling and therefore, additional costs.

According to the spokesman, the port authorities are still working towards the scheduled commissioning date of April.

Dhamra port is being promoted by the Dhamra Port Company, a 50:50 JV between TATA Steel and Larsen & Toubro.

(Sourced from Business Line)