It is reported that Paradip Port Trust has received bids so far from 5 companies against fresh invitation for bids for undertaking capital dredging for widening and deepening of the navigable channel leading to the port. The bidders include Dredging Corporation of India, Boskalis, Dredging International, Jan del Nul and Hyundai. The last date for submitting bids is July 25.

PPT had earlier called for bids in last December but subsequently cancelled and invited bids again. All the 4 overseas companies had given their bids last time also and so far the new entrant is DCI.

The job involves deepening of the navigable channel of the port around 19 meters in the approach channel and a little more than 17 meters in the entrance channel, sufficient to yield a draft of 16 meters in the proposed iron ore cum coal berth. Also, the length of the channel has to be extended from 2 kilometers now to 10 kilometers. The total cost is estimated at Rs 136 crore.