Bhubaneswar: The Adani Group has proposed to develop an economic corridor connecting on Gopalpur Port to Jeypore via Rayagada in Odisha under the PM GatiShakti scheme.
The letter to Chief Minister Mohan Majhi mentioned that this proposed economic corridor can be built under BOOT (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer) model. “This is crucial for bolstering industrial connectivity and ensuring seamless movement of goods and services across the region,” it said.
The letter further stated that this economic corridor will reduced travel time between Ganjam and Jeypore significantly from nine hours to just three and a half hours, allowing rapid transport of cargo and fostering industrial growth. “It will benefit industries in Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri and other southern and western destinations and also enhance access to healthcare and education for local communities and support overall economic landscape of the state.”
The group has proposed developing this corridor with road, rail, pipeline and utilities. “The ROW may be undertaken in one instalment and should have a width of 200 metres keeping in mind the future development of six-lane road, double railway line and utilities.”
It further said that timely and efficient completion of this project is very important for the development of
the state. “It is requested to consider developing this project under the BOOT (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer) model. The BOOT model, in partnership with a private player, can ensure efficient execution and timely completion, while also saving on initial costs. Under this model, the BOOT partner would invest in the construction and operation of the economic corridor, subsequently transferring it to state government at the end of the concession period. The timely completion of the project will effectively usher in development of the southwestern districts and also meet the transportation and logistics needs of industry and state. Gopalpur-Rayagada-Jeypore economic corridor will enable businesses to operate more efficiently, attract new investments, and unlock economic opportunities for local communities. The positive ripple effects in terms of employment generation and socio- economic development in the region will be invaluable for Odisha’s future,” the letter dated November 12 added.
Notably, Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan had earlier spoken about creating high-speed road networks to connect ports with industrial and mining areas in the state under the PM GatiShakti scheme. “Gopalpur port in Ganjam district will be connected with Jeypore in Koraput district under the high-speed road network. After the completion of the road, one will be able to reach Jeypore from Gopalpur port in three and a half hours. Now, vehicles take nine hours to reach Jeypore from Gopalpur port,” he added.
The works department has also conducted thorough assessment to ensure the project’s feasibility and effectiveness, official sources said.
The Ahmedabad-headquartered business conglomerate operates Dhamra Port in Bhadrak and Gopalpur Port in Ganjam, holds extraction rights for Talabira coal blocks in Sambalpur and Jharsuguda, and has acquired the Kutrumali bauxite mines in Rayagada through its subsidiary, Mundra Aluminium Limited.
The state cabinet cleared the decks for takeover of Gopalpur port by approving the transfer of 95% equity share to Adani Group in September. The group is also planning to set up its first greenfield cement factory with a production capacity of 4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), at an estimated cost of Rs 3,000-3,500 crore in the state, the Mint reported in October.