The natural advantage for Odisha is its 480 km coast line. But the same has not been explored fully for the development of the people of the State. Today connectivity infrastructure has become a lifeline of contemporary development and non-connectivity perpetuates socio-eco backwardness.
But in spite of popular demand for a costal highway and the promise of one by the Central Government in 2015, little progress has been achieved in the project so far. Both the Centre and the State have been responsible for such delay in neglecting a backward State.There are tremendous potentials of port based high value economic activities in the coastal areas and opportunities of eco-tourism by developing road, rail and air connectivity.
In the whole range of areas from Talasara of Baleswar district to Bahuda Muhana of Ganjam district, there are about 15 locations which can be developed into small ports and corridors of export and import linking two major developed port areas of neighbouring States.
This will pave the way for industrialisation in the areas, especially for manufacturing units and agro-based industries.The existence of eco-hubs such as Chilika lagoon and Bhitarkaniaka sanctuary and other locations and heritage spots can be fully developed as epitome of tourist destinations of international standard with all modern facilities to attract the people from all over the world.
This can be further developed as destinations for healthcare centers, educational institutions and corporate offices linking people globally to generate employment and bring change in quality of life of the local people suffering since generations in spite of development of science and technologies.
The backwardness of Odisha remain unchanged despite so many plans and programmes. The poorest State is identified as a major contributor of distress migrant workers to India and outside. The State has also not yet substantially reduced the poverty level of its inhabitants.
Not only distress migration or poverty but also in the field of health and education, the State performed very miserably in comparison to other developed States of the country. The need of major public investment in connectivity such as road and railway, besides in canal and industrialisation in coastal areas has always been treated with less priority. It is a fact that whatever development happens today it is because of very few projects such as Paradip express highway, Paradip port and some industries.
Though both the mineral resources and sea coast are two natural advantages of Odisha but they have not been focused in the State development model as priority sector investment.
Since generations it has been told that Odisha has enough natural resources and the key to its development is optimum use of them. However, there has been little plan of investment to tap the natural resources.The federal principles of Indian democracy are not respected and followed in letter and spirit and regional imbalances continue to afflict the country.
The States having natural resources are exploited for overall development of the country while the interest of the mineral bearing backward States is ignored.
The states are not allowed with financial autonomy for utilisation of their own strategic resources for the people either.
Odisha has been facing such continuous negligence by the Centre since years. Despite a long standing demand for mineral royalty revision and according the special category State status by Odisha, the Centre has lent a deaf ear.
Therefore, time has come for the Odisha Government to refrain from making investment in charity work and lay focus in building connectivity all over the State including a coastal highway.
The fate of coastal highway as promised by the Union Government must not be like that of the Khordha-Bolangir railway line which was planned by the British but was yet to see the light of the day even after 75 years of independence.
(manasbbsr15@gmail.co)