PPT Celebrates Republic Day 2020
Paradip, (INS): Republic Day was celebrated by Paradip Port Trust Authority with a great ardour. Shri Rinkesh Roy, Chairman, PPT unfurled the National Flag and took salute from 42 platoons consisting of CISF Jawans, students of Paradip College, different schools of Paradip Township and employees of PPT retiring this year.
Addressing the gathering, he said that, in the last few years, Paradip Port Trust has chartered out a path of progress in all spheres of activities, unprecedented in its history. Traffic handled has grown from 71 MTPA in FY-2014-15 to approximately 110 MTPA in 2018-19. Even in the current year, despite operating with 02 lesser berths on account of mechanization projects, the Port is poised to achieve 115 MTPA. In fact, Paradip Port is the only Port in the country where rates have been static since the last 05 years. The Port in the last few years has become debt free as well as liability free.
The Port has commissioned the South Oil Jetty and the Multi-purpose Clean Cargo Berth in the last few years. In the coming fiscal, it will commission the New Import Coal Cargo Berth, The New Export Iorn Ore Berth an the mechanisation of EQ1, 2 & 3. Along-with this, the Port Management has introduced systemic improvements, which have lead to greater transparency. The Port has also undertaken substantial efforts in improving the environment. Commissioning of State of the Art Sewerage Treatment Plants, Modern effluent Plant in the Hospital, Concrete roads, beautification of township area, etc have given a great fillip to protect the environment. The Port has also undertaken a plantation drive of One Lakh trees through OFDC. The Port is installing a 10 MLD desalination plant to provide clean and safe drinking water to the Township.
As a part of its welfare activities, the Port has taken up major dredging works of opening of the Mahanadi River Mouth which will benefit over 50,000 fishermen families of Paradip area. Improvement in road approach to fishery harbor along-with lighting has also significantly improved the working conditions for fishermen.
The havoc unleashed by Cyclone Fani and Bulbul was repealed in the speediest manner. Announcing steps to make the PPT township disaster resilient, he inaugurated Generator Sets, which will provide 24×7 water and electricity to the citizens.
Paradip Port Trust also contributed its might in generating employment apart from its usual realm of activities. Keeping that in view, PPT has been sponsoring 120 students in each year for 6 months training through CIPET Bhubaneswar with an approximate yearly expenditure of 72 Lakhs. A record number of 109 Diploma/ ITI students have been given training by the Port in the last year.
For movement of passenger traffic in a safe and clean environment, Port is in the process of constructing the Second Road Over Bridge and additional two lane road along-side National Highway from Atharbanki to Do-chhaki. Also PPT is exploring the feasibility of a separate road from Bhutmundai to Atharbanki for truck movement. These infrastructures will meet the requirement of all inhabitants of Port town and adjoining area for the next 20-30 years.
Thereafter, Shri Roy awarded prizes to the winners of different competitions held for the occasion. He also felicitated the officers and employees of the E&M, Medical, Engineering Departments for their exemplary works. Eco-friendly cotton bags under the aegis of Paradip Sakshyrata Samiti were launched on the occasion by Chairman, PPT.
A Poet’s Meet was also organised at Officer’s Club, followed by an exhibition Women’s Volley Ball match in the afternoon at Gopabandhu Stadium. In the evening, Inter-School Dance competitions on Patriotic theme were held among school children at Jaydev Sadan.