The acquisition of land for a dedicated rail corridor has become a prime factor before beginning of the proposed Subarnarekha port work at Chaumukh, here.
Sources said for construction of rail from Amarda road to Chaumukh, a 40-km stretch, and widening of road between Jafrabad and Chaumkh , a stretch of 18 km, about 400 acres of private land is required.
But considering the importance of the projects, the locals are contributing their land voluntarily. “More and more people are volunteering to register their land for the cause. In fact, people want the port to be established here. For the port, the Government has already given land. The port work will start soon after the land for the rail is acquired," said a senior official of the proposed port adding other infrastructure upgradation including electrical works, in the meantime, were in progress.
Notably, for the Rs 5,000 crore Subarnarekha port, to be established in Baliapal block( Chaumukh and Dagara), CM Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone before the last general elections. Simultaneously, the CM had also laid foundation stone for the Haldia petrochemicals worth Rs 78,000-crore.
These projects when completed would prove boon for Baliapal bock as they would not only provide employment opportunities but enhance economic activities in the district.