Adani Group faces land hurdle for Dhamra port expansion.

Adani Group controlled Dhamra Port Company Ltd. (DPCL) is facing land roadblock to expand the port's capacity to 100 million tonne up from 25 million tonne at present, by adding 11 new berths.

DPCL needs 740 acres of land for the port expansion. But, the state government is dilly dallying on allotting it the land. The government has now decided to keep the process in abeyance.

'The state government's port policy has been challenged in the Odisha High Court and the matter is still sub-judice. The court had directed the government not to take any steps on the port projects for which memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed. Since then, the government has been dragging its feet over port development,' said a government official.

'Though the high court (HC) order does not impact the Dhamra port, the government is acting cautiously. The land transfer to DPCL is kept in abeyance till the court disposes off the matter,' he added.

BS