For now, Betul port proposal stands suspended: MPT

Team Herald

VASCO: In a major decision that would provide immense relief to the people objecting the proposed port at Betul, the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has decided to suspend the Betul port proposal for time being and that a new port would now be developed at Vijaydurg in Maharashtra.

MPT chairman I Jeyakumar made this statement while speaking to reporters after presenting Port performance report for fiscal year 2016-17 where MPT reportedly achieved 59 per cent growth in cargo handling last year resulting in an operating surplus of Rs 169 crore.

“We accept the concerns of the people and thus we have decided to suspend the proposal for Betul port for the time being. Presently, MPT cannot have any further physical expansion and thus as part of Centre's integrated ports development plan, MPT along with Mumbai port, JNPT and Maharashtra Maritime board is preparing a plan to develop new port at Vijaydurg in Maharashtra. We want to create refinery-based port at Vijaydurg. It is presently at proposal stage and we are planning it for our future growth,” Jeyakumar informed.

While giving details of future plans of MPT with regards to handling new cargo within existing facility at Mormugao Port and other new revenue sources, he said, “With regards to focus on cargo, our space inside the port is limited and hence we are using the existing facility. We are focusing more on steel export, container, cruise vessels and granite. In order to gain some revenue from unused land, MPT board has cleared the proposal for commercial use of unused land owned by MPT with the approval of government. We have land (two acres) at Dabolim and (four acres) at Adarshnagar in Chicalim besides unused seafront property at old hospital at Baina and we now want to give this land on long term lease (90 years) and the interested party can take up projects such as hotels or some other commercial projects on our land and allotment of land would be though e-tendering. Ultimately, we have to support our 2000 employees and 4000 pensioners so we need look for such options to generate more income,” he said.

Commenting on proposed doubling of railway line, Jeyakumar said, “We are following up the issue with the Railways except for some land acquisition between Margao to Vasco, other formalities have been completed. I think that people should support the project as this would be part of development. Also under present single track, we are trying to evacuate our maximum cargo though rail. From six rakes in a day to 9 rakes in a day, we have increased our operations through rail and there is scope of one more rake with single railway track,” he added.