Rout criticises Government again

BHUBANESWAR: Former minister and BJD MLA Damodar Rout on Friday criticised the State Government for going ahead with different port projects along the coast without undertaking proper feasibility study.  “The State Government is entering into illegal agreements with the port developers without undertaking proper feasibility study,” said Rout during Question Hour in the Assembly.  The BJD member’s reaction came in response to the reply of Minister of State for Commerce and Transport Sanjib Kumar Sahoo about uncertainty over establishment of a port at Barunei river mouth close to Gahirmatha Beach, the nesting site of Olive Ridley turtles.  The State Government’s proposal to set up a port at Barunei river mouth in Kendrapara district has faced green hurdle, the Minister said adding that at least five investors, including the world’s largest steel-maker ArcelorMittal, have evinced interest in the project.  Other companies, who are keen to establish port at Barunei river mouth, are Adhunik Metaliks, SPI Ports Private Limited, Sikal Logistics Limited and Mundra Port and Special EconomicZone Limited, the Minister said.   Rout, however, blamed the Minister for holding negotiations over the proposed minor port at Barunei without conducting proper feasibility study.   Replying to another question, the Minister said the State Government has put two of its proposed port projects at Inchudi and Chandipur in Balasore district on hold due to opposition from the Defence Ministry.  He said besides two major ports at Dhamra and Gopalpur, the State Government has signed MoUs with separate companies for setting up three ports at Subarnarekha river mouth in Balasore district, Chudamani in Bhadrak district and Astarang in Puri district.  This apart, Posco-India has also got clearance from the Centre for setting up a captive port at Jatadhari mouth in Jagatsinghpur district, he added.