After cancellation of a water aerodrome project in Chilka lake on ecological grounds, a helicopter flying in the sky triggered a rumour of seaplane landing on Friday.
As the news spread, many turned up to watch it in the lake. However, they returned in vain when they came to know that it was only a rumour by some miscreants.
“The water aerodrome project has already been cancelled in Chilka. It might be a rumour,” told IIC Krunaprasad Prashant Kumar Swain. He said he has no idea even of a helicopter flying around the lake the same day.
Sources said a helicopter had passed over the lake at about noon hour on Friday last. While flying over Arkhakuda village, some local youths caught sight of it. Watching the helicopter rounding up in their area, the rumour-mongers sent messages of seaplane landing in the lake to multiple mobile phones.
That ultimately drew people in droves of Parikud, Satapara and Alupatana etc to Arkhakuda to watch a new machine, which can fly in the air and boat in the water. Even some news reporters were said to have received messages with photo of seaplane surfacing on the water.
“It was a helicopter, but some rumour mongers colouring it as a seaplane spread messages,” said Prashant Dash of Deulapada village of Parikud island. He said a helicopter had made some rounds in Chilka area on Friday to assess the flood situations after demands were made for compensation on loss of crops in the recent rain.
Sometimes, a helicopter comes here to map the climate, said Dash to The Pioneer.
It is worth mentioning here that after the reports of seaplane in Chilka came in media, Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda replied that he would talk to the Minister, Forests and Environment. He had said since the lake comes under the Forests and Environment Department, he would seek a report on the fact.
A higher official of the Chilka Development Authority (CDA) also dubbed it as a rumour only.
Notably, the water aerodrome project initiated by the Centre has been canceled after oppositions from the locals and environmentalists on its adverse impact on the lake’s ecology.
As the project would badly affect the habitats of Erawadi dolphins, crabs and birds of Nalabana, the Chilka
Development Authority (CDA) did not allow the project in the lake. Initially, the State Government had agreed to the pilot project of the Centre for growth of tourism, however, due to stiff opposition within the BJD, it ultimately cancelled the plan.