Bhubaneswar: The empowered committee on infrastructure on Monday gave its nod to the second phase of the tendering process for the port on the Mahanadi. The project is first of its kind to be executed in Odisha.

The proposed port will be constructed in Mahakalpada block of Kendrapada district at an estimated a cost of Rs 2,110 crore.

The proposed location is adjacent to industrial sites next to the NH- 5A and on the right bank of Mahanadi river.

The port is designed to cater to the needs of mineral transport of Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh .

It will be a common user port for various industries and mines and will handle iron ore and pellets, raw fertiliser, alumina, raw crude oil, finished crude oil, steel and steel products, chromite, mineral sand and bauxite.

Chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, who heads the empowered committee, directed the officials concerned to complete the bidding process by August and issue the letter of award by October. The committee also approved the shortlisted companies after the first phase of bidding (request for qualification).

Padhi asked the commerce and transport department to ensure road and rail connectivity to the port and also plan for development of a port based industrial complex near the port. Commerce and transport secretary G. Srinivas said a two-stage bidding process had been adopted for selecting the executants of the project. The request for qualification was issued and the proposals received were evaluated by a committee.