BHUBANESWAR | Sunday, December 28, 2008 | Email | Print | 
Ministry fears new ports may jeopardise missile testing
PNS | Bhubaneswar
The Union Ministry of Defence has raised objections to the five upcoming ports in the mouth of river Subarnarekha and on the Bay of Bengal. “If the ports come up in the earmarked place as identified by the State, it would turn to be a threat to the Chandipur Defence missiles,” Defence Ministry officials pointed out to the State. They further said that no port should come up within the 50 km radius of the Chandipur Defence Centre. Agni and Prithvi missiles are tested from here at regular intervals.
The Ministry of Defence has raised objections to the ports like Enchudi, Chandbali, Kirtania, Bahabalpur and Chudamani. However, the State Government has raised objections to it. It has pointed the DRDO had passed the proposals in way back in 1996. The Government officials pointed out that it should have raised the objections at that time when the State submitted proposals for their clearance.
Meanwhile, a high-level team of Defence officials called on the Chief Secretary and discussed these issues. “We will soon sort out the problem. Efforts would me be made to keep the interest of the State,” said the team leader of the Defence officials. The State Government has already singed MoU for the Kirtania port.
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