With the Multi Modal Terminal in Sahibganj being functional, the Deputy Commissioner of the district, Rajiv Ranjan has written to the State government, requesting them to support the district administration in ensuring smooth operations at the terminal.

The inauguration of MMT in Sahibganj by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 12 has opened up industries of Jharkhand to the global market, providing Indo-Nepal cargo connectivity through sea route.

Talking to The Pioneer he said, "Many opportunities and challenges will come along with the port in Sahibganj. To tackle these challenges and ensuring public safety, both the district administration and State government should start working seriously on these issues from now itself.”

The DC has written three letters to the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, DK Tiwari, on three different issues.

The first letter requests survey of the district to develop Sahibganj as an industrial hub. The letter mentions that with the established of MMT in the district, the districts has unlimited scope of being developed as an industrial hub. The MMT is especially identified for coal and stone chips transportation. The letter says that in this situation there is an opportunity of developing a number of subsidiary industries in the area.

The DC requests the CS in letter to direct the concerned department to conduct a survey for identification and development of the industrial area in the district.

The second letter requests the CS for appointing a consultant for developing an airport in the district.

The letter says that the number of people visiting the district, not just from Jharkhand but other States, will soar with the MMT being operational. This will lead to the requirement of an airport in the district.

The DC said that the work of identification of land for the construction of airport is ongoing and requested the government to appoint a consultant for a minimum of three months for the same.

The third major request is establishment of a check point of commercial taxes department in the district. The letter mentions that as mining activities are very common in the district and coal is also transported to neighbouring State of Bihar and Bengal. With the operation of the MMT, the transport of coal can be done on huge level to not just Bihar and Bengal but other States too.

The DC said that the cases of illegal transportation of coal cannot be ruled out in such situation which makes the establishment of a checkpoint compulsory.

The MMT at Sahibganj was constructed with a budget of Rs. 299.1 crore and has a capacity of 2.24 Metric tonne per annum. The construction has been done on the area of 59 acres and the MMT is aimed to provide movement for 1.07 MT of stone chips and 1 MT coal from the district. The MMT is likely to reduce logistics and transportation cost and help in extensive economic and social development of Jharkhand along with opening market opportunities and boosting trade.