Bhubaneswar, An all weather and multi-user Port on river Mahanadi will be set up in PPP mode with a capacity of 54 MTPA at an estimated cost of Rs 4,062crore.The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) will develop supporting project infrastructures like rail and road connectivity and dredging requirements of the port.In the first phase, 22 MTIPA capacity will be created for Rs 2,562 crore. The Odisha government has identified 300 hectares of land for the project. The State Government will also provide the necessary support to PPT in respect of any additional land required for the Project.A high-level team from state government led by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy along with 5T secretary V.K.Pandian and, Special Secretary, Commerce & Transport Manoj Mishra visited the proposed Mahanadi Riverine Port site today as per the direction of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.It may be recalled that the Ministry of Port, Shipping & Waterways has agreed to the proposal of the state government for establishing the Riverine Port to be developed by PPT.A formal MoU in this regard with the State government is under finalisation. The Port will come up at Akhadasali village under Mahakalapada Block in Kendrapara district, 13 km. from the river mouth at Paradip.In 2018, the Odisha government has decided to go ahead with Mahanadi Riverine Port and an RFQ was issued.However, the Project could not progress due to lack of interest by potential bidders. PPT then evinced interest in the Project and consequently and the MoU with the State Government would be signed soon.On commissioning, the Port will provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to more than 4000 persons in the first phase and about another 1700 in the second phase. The riverine Port, along with the state-aided Haridaspur Paradip Railway line, will go a long way in boosting the economy of the Kendrapara district.