June 10th 2024.
In the town of Kendrapara, there is much talk and concern about the fate of the state's first riverine port project. This project was first announced five years ago, but with a new government taking over in Odisha, there is now uncertainty surrounding its future. As sources from Kendrapara reported on Sunday, the change in regime has caused many to believe that this project may not take off at all.
The outgoing Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, had initially announced the project back in December of 2018. He had stated that the port would be built on the Mahanadi river near Akhadasali village, under the Mahakalapada block. It was said that the Paradip Port Authority would be responsible for its construction through a public-private partnership. And according to officials, this port would create job opportunities for over 15,000 individuals.
In March of 2019, officials from the Odisha government had discussions with ArcelorMittal to sign a memorandum of understanding. Even the 5T secretary at the time, Kartik Pandian, had visited Akhadasali in December of 2020. But now, with the BJP taking over in Odisha, the future of the port remains uncertain.
The initial cost estimates for this port were calculated, with officials stating that approximately Rs2,110 crore would be needed for the first phase of construction. Once fully operational, the port was expected to handle 18.43 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Local intellectuals and activists, including Chittaranjan Sahu, Ramani Ranjan Routray, Gayadhar Dhal, Pratap Kumar Tripathy, and Sushil Kumar Rout, have pointed out that Kendrapara district has always been neglected by the state government. They highlighted that the district ranks 26th in terms of economic development in the state, and that the government often makes grand promises but fails to follow through on them.
This is not the first time the Odisha government has promised development projects in Kendrapara. In 2009, they had promised to construct a port in the remote area of Barunei. And before the 2014 Assembly elections, they had announced plans to develop and modernize the town, as well as build a power plant in Alailo under the Marshaghai block. But as the locals have informed, both of these projects have fizzled out.
After the 2019 elections, there was hope that the Paradip Port would finally begin construction in Akhadasali, and that ArcelorMittal would set up a steel plant. Even Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had visited the district and made promises about the port's establishment. However, since then, there has been no progress on either project. Many now believe that these plans have been abandoned, and nothing substantial will come of them.
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