Opposition to Astaranga port plans gains momentum as more people voice their disapproval.

The proposed port in Puri district has been met with significant opposition from the local community. In response, those who may be displaced by the project gathered at Pir Jahania for a parallel hearing, while the official public hearing at the Block Ground was largely unattended until Friday.

Concerned environmentalists and even school children have joined the protest against the port, citing not only the displacement of local residents from their land, but also the potential harm to the area's biodiversity. The people of the community have made it clear that they will not allow the project to proceed under any circumstances. It has been reported that the state government has already signed a contract with Navayuga Engineering Company Limited to establish the port on a massive 3,899.987 acres of land.

The estimated cost for the project is a staggering Rs 7,417 crore, with additional plans for peripheral roads and rail links. Last Friday, a public hearing was held by the administration at the Block Ground, attended by officials such as Additional Collector Kailash Nayak and representatives from various organizations. People from different areas participated and voiced their opinions. Environmentalist and youth speaker Soumya Ranjan Biswal shared his perspective, emphasizing the importance of considering environmental protection and biodiversity before moving forward with the port. He also pointed out the potential impact on the nesting grounds of Olive Ridley turtles and the increased vulnerability to natural disasters in the area.

Interestingly, while some residents of Ashtanga attended the public hearing, those from the panchayats that will likely be displaced by the project chose to abstain. In contrast, citizens from 12 villages of Ashtanga block gathered at Pir Jahania for a massive hearing organized by the 'Bisthapita Birodhi Mancha' and 'Bhitamati Surakhya Sangathan', voicing their opposition to the port. The residents of Chhuriana, Jhadaling, and Patalada panchayats, as well as students, were also present at the event.

Local residents highlighted the importance of the sea at Astaranga, which boasts natural beauty, biodiversity, and serves as a haven for foreign migratory birds. It is also the nesting ground for Olive Ridley turtles every year. The livelihoods of the locals depend on farming the land and fishing in the sea. They expressed their fears of losing their homes and livelihoods if the project moves forward. "We will continue to protest until our concerns are addressed," they declared.

During the meeting, Zilla Parishad deputy chairman Sudhir Kumar Nayak, convenor Sobhakar Behera, president of Surakhya Mancha Prafulla Biswal, Astarang panchayat samiti chairperson Arati Nayak, Astarang sarpanch Rama Chandra Kandi, Chhuriana sarpanch Khirod Kandi, samiti member Bimbadhar Biswal, and social worker Dibakar Chhatoi spoke out against the project and shed light on the issues faced by the likely displaced population, their rights, and potential solutions. In response, Additional Collector Nayak assured that the opinions of the residents would be taken into consideration before making any decisions. In accordance with the High Court's directive, the next public hearing will be held at the affected area itself, rather than 12km away.

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