The Hindu Business Line : Paradip port’s capital dredging work begins

Mr K. Raghuramaiah (middle), Chairman of Paradip Port Trust, and senior officials of the Dredging Corporation of India, are seen on board ‘CSD Aquarius,’ DCI’s cutter-suction dredger deployed in Paradip port for undertaking capital dredging in the port’s channels.

Our Bureau

Kolkata, June 17

The much-awaited capital dredging for deepening the Paradip port’s channels has finally started.

On Saturday, the Dredging Corporation of India’s dredger CSD Aquarius was formally pressed into operation in the presence of the Paradip Port Trust’s Chairman, Mr K. Raghuramaiah, DCI’s Operation & Technical Director, Commodore S. Ratnam, and Project Manager, Mr N. Rao, among others.

Dredging costs

The scope of the work, estimated to cost Rs 253.36 crore, includes 15 million cubic metres of dredging – comprising 11.3 metres in outer channel and another 3.7 cubic metres inside the dock, including turning basin.

On completion, the depth of the entrance channel will be increased from the present 12.8 metres to 17.1 metres and, as a result, the port will be able to handle Capesize vessels (125,000 dwt) capacity. Initially, the work will be done by CSD Aquarius, which is a cutter-suction dredger, to be replaced by higher capacity dredgers as and when the requirement will arise.

The work is supposed to be completed within 52 weeks from the day the work order was issued. The work order was issued in January, and accordingly should be over by January next year.

However, DCI, for its own reasons, could start the work only now. It, therefore, remains to be seen if the work could be executed within the stipulated time.

Paradip port’s present capital dredging work has been delayed, first by cost escalation and then by the non-availability of dredgers. The original cost estimate of Rs 154 crore jumped by nearly Rs 100 crore for which the Government approval had to be obtained. It took time.

Next, PPT issued the work order to DCI in January soon after the receipt of the Government approval, but DCI could not start the work immediately as it did not have required dredgers readily available.

More Stories on : Shipping

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Airlines look to trim capacity; fares may go up

BIA is Bangalore’s new advertising hotspot

India to play a key role in Qatar Airways’ growth strategy

Kochi port to float new bids for capital dredging

Paradip port’s capital dredging work begins

Pantaloon Retail’s arm ties up with Dubai’s Aramex

Rains hit train services

No crossing