As maritime transport is extremely important for
both economic and cultural development, the Odisha Government has
demanded establishment of a Maritime University in the State.
Transport and Commerce Minister Padmanabha Behera raised the
demand during the 3rd meeting of National Sagarmala Apex Committee
(NSAC) held in New Delhi on Friday. Union Minister for Ports,
Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Transport and
Shipping Ministers of various States attended the meeting.
Behera said 95% of India’s trade by volume and 70% by value move
through maritime transport, which shows the importance of ports and
their contribution in sustaining the growth of the Indian economy.
“Keeping in view the future scenario of Odisha, establishment of a
Maritime University is felt necessary to facilitate and promote maritime
studies, training and research,” he said.
The State Government would request to examine and help in
establishing this for future development of the maritime sector in the
whole east coast of the country, he said.
The Minister also made objections and suggestions made by the Odisha
Government on the draft Port Bill. The State Government, in June 2021,
had raised certain issues regarding inviolable independence of coastal
states in the matter of regulation and administration of non-major ports
and non-nationalised waterways.
“The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in its letter dated
August 11, 2021 has given an assurance to address our concerns
appropriately. However, the Government of Odisha would still request
for its proper examination at the time of finalising the Indian Port Bill,
which would strengthen the spirit of cooperative federalism,” he said.
Behera also demanded construction of a Gopalpur-Rairakhol railway
link project. The Gopalpur Port on the east coast is a minor port having
high potential to serve the heavy steel and mining industries of Odisha
and Chhattisgarh. At present, this port is connected to the Howrah-
Chennai route. The present rail connectivity arrangement is posing a
limiting constraint for future growth of rail borne traffic to the Gopalpur
Port, he pointed out.
The Odisha Rail Infrastructure Development Ltd has completed a
detailed engineering survey using aerial LiDAR technology and
prepared the Detailed Project Report. The route length of the project is
270 km with an estimated cost of Rs 6,195 crore. “Being an important
port connectivity link, this railway project may be considered for
funding by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under the
Sagarmala Scheme,” he demanded.
Speaking about the Buramara-Chakulia rail link project, he said the State
Government has executed a Concession Agreement with the Creative
Port Development Pvt Ltd for development of a deep-draft port adjacent
to Subarnarekha River mouth of Odisha on BOOST (Build, Own,
Operate, Share & Transfer) basis. The State Government has agreed to
bear the cost of land for this project. Therefore, the project may also be
considered for funding under the Sagarmala Scheme.
He also demanded funding for the Badampahar-Keonjhar rail link
project under the Sagarmala Scheme. Badampahar and Gorumahisani
have large iron ore mines; and presently, there is only one-way
connectivity to Tata from these mines. Connecting 80 km, Badampahar-
Keonjhar will provide a shorter and direct access from these mines to
Kalinga Nagar of Odisha which is a major steel hub, Behera said.
Furthermore, the distance from Keonjhar to Tata would be reduced by
30 km; and this connectivity would act as an alternate route for the iron
ore mines around Keonjhar to Tata. The State Government has already
agreed to bear the cost of land for this project, he informed.