It is reported that CVR Navayuga Group has shown interest to develop a Greenfield minor port of 15 million tonne capacity on (built, own, operate, share and transfer basis at Astarang in Puri in Orissa at a investment of INR 6,000 crore. Mr CBS Rao CMD of Navayuga Group met Mr Naveen Patnaik chief minister of Orissa last week in this regard.

Navayuga has proposed to develop the port in three phases. In the first phase, it will have two berths for handling bulk cargoes like coal and iron ore. First phase envisages investment of INR 1,500 crore. Navayuga has asked for 5000 acres for the project. It has also asked for exemption of local taxes and stamp duties. Navayuga is proposing to lay 50 kilometer railway line and a four lane highway from Sakshigopal to Astaranga on the PPP basis.

Mr Jayanarayana Mishra state transport minister said that the government would examine the proposal after receiving the final techno economic report from the company.

Navayuga has also proposed to set up a 1320 MW plant with an investment of INR 5000 crore with facilities for making brick from fly ash and a water treatment plant to convert saline water into sweet water.

Orissa government has already lined up private developers for four ports. Orissa Stevedores Ltd is developing the Gopalpur Port, Dhamra Port Company Ltd is constructing a port at Dhamra., Creative Infrastructure Company Ltd has signed an MoU to set up a port at Kirtania on the river mouth of the Subernarekha and POSCO has proposed to set up a captive port at Jatadhari on the river mouth of the Mahanandi.