Dec. 15: The Pandu river port will soon have multi-modal transport facilities, with a rail link being developed from Kamakhya to Pandu. This will facilitate easy movement of heavy cargoes in a smooth and efficient manner.
A senior official of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), who is looking after the project, said an inland river port should have multi-modal transport facilities to enable efficient movement of cargo. The Pandu port is being developed with this aim.
This will also be the first time that the city will have a multi-modal transport system, though it will be used for inland water transport.
The construction of a 1-km broad gauge line from Kamakhya to Pandu will cost Rs 11 crore. Work will be completed by the next financial year.
“It appears from the infrastructure development and movement of natural resources that there will be a substantial movement through waterways. Hence, there is a need to fully develop this sector,” the official said.
A number of cement industries has come up, for which the modern port will be very handy in despatching goods.
Construction of the broad gauge line as well as development of the road network has been entrusted to NF Railway as the land belongs to them.
Work has already started on construction of a fully mechanised river terminal by the IWAI for mechanical unloading of goods. This is expected to save time and help increase business.
The official said the steps being taken would also ease the existing traffic congestion from Adabari to Pandu as there will be heavy movement of trucks carrying goods for the port. The road network from Adabari to Pandu is also being developed to cater to the heavy traffic. Construction of drains is already in progress.
“All this will turn Pandu port into a hub of commercial activity as a lot of movement will take place, which will also create employment opportunities,” the official added.
He said the local industry should take advantage of the infrastructure being created as huge amounts of investment are being made.
The river terminal is expected to cost Rs 40 crore. Trucks will now be able to come directly to the platform near the river terminal and unload goods directly into the vessels.
The terminal has a total land area of 55,000 square metres with two covered godowns of 1,500 square metres of floor space each.
Container vessels will also be available at the terminal. The handling time will be much reduced. With construction of the modern river terminal, all kinds of cargo can be carried, the official said.