Bhubaneswar, Aug 22 (UNI) Nearly one fourth of the construction work of the Dhamra port in Bhadrak district has already been completed, Commerce Minister Jayanarayan Mishra told the Assembly today.

Replying to a question of Ananta Das (BJD), the Minister said 1957.69 acres of private land for the laying of railway line from the Dharma port to Bhadrak had been acquired and 879.10 acres of government land had been handed over to International Sea Ports Limited, the company developing the port.

Mr Mishra said the work was in progress for construction of 62.5 km of embankment, procurement of rail sleeper, construction of bridges, jetty, sea digging and reservoir excavation.

The work was also going on for the construction of the Bulk Material Hnandling Plant and the Galvanised Tower Plant for the 132 kv electric linem he added.

Similarly, process was on for the handing over of 1215 acres of land to Creative Port Development Private Ltd for developing the port at Kirtania on the mouth of Subarnarekha river.

The land scheduled was sent to the Collector. The company was conducting a survey for the land required for laying the railway line and roads, the Minister said.

The company had applied to the Centre for the Rail Transport Clerance, he added..

The Minister said the state industries department was taking steps to set up a shipbuilding yard project, oil rig, offshore structures and support vessels manufacturing and repairs unit at Chardia, Dhamra.

But the government had not yet received any proposal from any industrial house to set up any port based industry at Kirtania, he said.

UNI BD KK RJ ND2006