Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and AYUSH, inaugurated the newly-built and Odisha’s first-ever riverine jetty on Monday. He claimed that Paradip will be one of the best locations for marine trade and will establish greater Exim (export and import) links with neighbouring countries when he inaugurated the riverine jetty. With the utilisation of a multi-modal transportation system, the riverine jetty will add a new dimension to the transportation sector. This will also assist to strengthen the country’s economy in a variety of ways, including reducing traffic congestion on highways and trains and switching to a lower-emission mode. Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (IFFCO) Ltd, a leading fertilizer firm in the country, has started the riverine jetty to explore the possibility of using waterways as a feasible mode of transport. The jetty was conceptualized by Orissa Stevedores Ltd (OSL), a reputed company in the fields of shipping, mining and in-plant operations, which was also given the responsibility for developing and operating the same. On February 25, 2021, OSL has entered into an MOU with Paradeep Port Authority and IFFCO for development and operation of the jetty.
