The seaside residents of Baliapal block, mainly of six panchayats who will be affected by the proposed Subarnarekha port and mega integrated petrochemical project staged a protest here on Friday.
The agitators under the aegis of the Bhita Mati Surakhya Committee formed a human chain stretching about 25 km from Dwarika to Kankadapal covering all six affected GPs.
The women were seen blowing conchs and giving slogans against the two projects.
They maintained that they wouldn't leave their lands for the projects at any cost since they are fertile. Their soil is very suitable for cultivation of cashew nuts, betel vine, besides paddy and fruit bearing trees, they said.
It may be noted a section of villagers has been protesting against these projects ever since the mutli crore projects were announced by the Government.
The locals while have been organising meetings at regular intervals, they are not allowing the Government officials to undertake preliminary works, including demarcation of land, stating that the projects would adversely affect their livelihood. Instead, they urged the administration to look for other sites.