A port project in Baliapal has become a pipedream as even after lapse of nine years of signing a MoU with a private company by the State Government, no tangible headway has been achieved.
The issue was raised again in the Parliament by local MP RK Jena. He drew the attention of the concerned ministry, demanding implementation of the project without further delay. Besides, he demanded the Government to declare the area as a special coastal economic zone.
Jena said Baleswar is one of most illiterate and poor district in eastern India with per capita income is about Rs 19,000 whch is less that the State average Rs 28,000.
“Sagar Mala concept was developed during time of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The objective was to modernize ports and develop port led economy.
Unfortunately, the idea was dumped during the next UPA regime. Currently, the NDA Government is mooting to implement the project spending about Rs 70,000. My demand is expedite the Balipal port project and declare it as special economic zone,” Jena said.
“For port at Baliapal the rail, road, environment and DRDO clearances were obtained besides the required land yet the project couldn’t take off even after nine years due to unknown reasons. Therefore, I pleaded for inclusion of the Baliapal port under Sagar Mala project,” he said.