PPPAC rejects MoS’s plan to develop Paradip cargo berths for captive use

The Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) has rejected the plan submitted by the Ministry of Shipping (MoS) to develop cargo berths at the western dock of Paradip port as a captive facility. While the MoS suggested developing the western dock for use by port-dependent industries (PDIs) only, the PPPAC has stated that all the players including PDIs should be eligible to compete and hence the project should be developed on a common user basis. Meanwhile, the PPPAC recommendation will be forwarded to the cabinet for clearance before inviting bids for the project.