The Veterans Club Odisha (VCO) has urged PM Modi for building a ship building yard and commissioning of a Naval flotilla in the State.
VCO president Bidyadhar Nayak while writing a letter to Modi said Odisha has a rich maritime history and its ancient ruler like King Mukunda Deva had his Naval flotilla namely Sagar and Magar Vahini. Besides, the State has a long coastline and several navigable rivers.
He said presence of a Naval flotilla either near Chilka lake or near Keluni Muhan would give coastal security from Digha to Gopalpur against any infiltrators especially from Bangladesh and China through the sea routes. The Army Establishment of Army Air Defence College, Gopalpur situated on the coastline of Gopalpur would be secured from sea side. This would invariable be an asset and security force of ITR at Abdul Kalam Island off Baleswar.
The present foreign infiltration from West Bengal coast and Bangladesh to Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada district would be given a body blow by the presence of a flotilla in these areas. Already the Coast Guard ships stationed at Paradip shall be strengthened by the cover patrolling of armed ships of Indian Navy, he said.
Besides, Odisha is blessed with abundant reserves of high-grade iron ore, bauxite and other minerals. These minerals can be used for setting up a ship building yard in the State. Availability of raw materials in the State would drastically reduce the production cost in ship building industries, Nayak told.
Establishment of ship building industries in the State would invariable generate revenues both for the State as well as the Central Government. It would open up doors for many potential job seekers of various categories starting from plumbers to engineers and managers. Presence of ship building industries would help mushrooming of associated factories, industries and professional hubs around the area including spearheading logistics chain in Odisha as well as in the connecting States.
With best talents around, the ship building industries here can build warships indigenously and it would strengthen the Indian Naval Arms, he told.
He urged the PM to consider establishing the ship building yard, preferably in the vicinity of Dhamra port.