Even as the State Government has already identified locations for construction of eight ports, including five in Baleswar district, it seems that not much initiative has been taken to further the process after lapse of eight long years.
According to sources, the State Government had proposed five ports at Bichitrapur, Subarnarekha confluence, Bahabalpur, Chandipur and Inchudi in Baleswar district. Earlier to this, Chudamani and Dhamra in Bhadrak district and Palur, Gopalpur and Bahuda confluence in Ganjam district had been identified for port development.
Besides, the Government had planned to set up two more ports in Astarang and Baliharchandi area in Puri district and another at Jatadhar confluence in Jagatsinghpur district.
While the Paradip Port is the oldest and fully operational port in the State, Dhamra and Gopalpur have been operational in recent years.
The sources said uncertainty now shrouds two proposals at Chandipur and Inchudi in Baleswar district as the locations fall under the missile testing unit range of the Defence Research and Development Organisaton (DRDO).
Similarly, while not much focus has been given on the Palur port proposal in Ganjam district, the port proposal at Jatadhari confluence has virtually been stopped as its proposer Posco has backtracked its steel project from the State.
Meanwhile, a technical and economic review has been made about the proposed cargo port terminal at Baliharchandi in Puri district while the WAPCOS limited conducted a survey on the proposal for a port in Bahabalpur of Balasore district and Bahuda confluence of Ganjam district. Surveys are also underway for the Bichitrapur proposal.
Though the Navayuga Engineering Company has already paid about Rs 14 crore towards establiblishment cost for land acquisition for the proposed Astarang Port, locals have denied giving land. Similarly, no organisation has expressed keenness for construction of port at Chandipur.
A case is pending at the High Court for the last past five years challenging the 2004 Port Policy of the State Government.