Bhubaneswar/Paradip, Jan. 18: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) ran an empty 300-tonne cargo vessel on the Dhamra-Rajnagar stretch of the national waterway No. 5 (from Talcher to Haldia in Bengal) as part of its efforts to make the Rs 2,000 crore project operational.
"The purpose of the dry run on Sunday and Monday between Dhamra in Bhadrak district and Rajnagar in Kendrapara district was to gauge the depth of river water and ascertain the possible hindrances on the way," said deputy project of IWAI (Odisha wing) Abinash Raul.
"The vessel had an unhindered and hassle-free run. However, a high-tension overhead power supply line stopped the vessel from going further than Rajnagar. We have requested the state government to relocate the power lines," Raul said.
The vessel covered the 36-km stretch between Dhamra and Rajnagar in three hours and 40 minutes. The exercise was part of a two-phase Rs 2,000 crore project between Talcher coalfields and the Dhamra port. In the first phase, the national waterway will be developed along the 201km stretch between Jokadia near Kalinga Nagar industrial complex and Dhamra port. It will later be extended to Talcher.
The proposed waterway will help in the transportation of goods between the industries in Kalinga Nagar industrial hub, Talcher coalfields and the Dhamra-Paradip ports.
On June 30, 2014, an MoU was signed between the IWAI, state government and authorities of Dhamra and Paradip ports for development of the first phase of the project. Dredging of the waterway has started on a 36-km stretch of no-tidal zone between Erada and Padanipal. This will be executed in three phases. Agreements have been signed by the executing agencies for Rs 46 crore, said the officials. Efforts are on to maintain a 2.5-3-metre depth and 45-metre width.
The dredging is likely to be completed by March next year. By the time the dredging is complete, a temporary terminal built over seven acres will come up at Erada. The land for this purpose has been taken from the farmers on lease and development is on.
"Once the temporary terminal is ready, the commercial trial run will start," said an official. The survey and preparation of report for coastal regulation zone clearance of the tidal zone is being carried out by the Mumbai-based Chola MS Risk Services. A French firm, CNR, and Feedback Infra are jointly conducting a study if the project can be viable on PPP mode.
A permanent terminal is to be constructed at Pankapal near Kalinga Nagar. A joint venture company named Inland Waterways Consortium (Odisha) Limited is being set up for the purpose.
