Kendrapara: Environmentalists have expressed concern over the government nod accorded to a proposed 450-km-long coastal highway that will pass through ecologically-sensitive areas along Odisha's coast.

Government agencies on Saturday deliberated over the alignment of roads on Puri-Konark marine drive, near the proposed port at Astaranga, Jambu forest area, Bhitarkanika reserve forest, Satapada and the bridge over Chilika Lake.

Though no clear picture on realignment roads lying close to Bhitarkanika National Park has yet emerged, the environment activists are of the view that road project could prove detrimental to the mangrove vegetation and fragile eco-system in the national park.

"Man-made interference has already taken its toll on wetland spots and the mangrove forest cover. Unabated encroachment of forestland by prawn mafia has already adversely affected the ecology of the area. Prawn dykes are not being dismantled because of Orissa High Court's intervention. The building of the coastal highway will open floodgates of multiplied human interference. As the highway may traverse through parts of Bhitarkanika forest areas, it will spell doom for mangrove vegetation," said environment activist Bijay Kumar Kabi.

"We are not against development. But foolproof environment impact assessment needs to be done for the proposed project. The highway will traverse through the mangrove cover, casuarinas forest and wetlands. Their protection is also of utmost importance just like the ambitious coastal highway project," he said.

"The highway will usher in development of the coastal patches. But it should not come at the cost coastal ecology and environment," he added.

Local residents, however, differed from the green activists.

"Our district is bereft of industrial and rail infrastructure. The highway will immensely benefit us. It can promote tourism and generate employment opportunities for the local people," said Iswarpur village resident Pradeep Das.

Over 75% areas through which the highway would pass are on the close vicinity of Greenfield areas. That includes Ramsar wetland sites of Bhitarkanika and Chilka in Kendrapara and Khurda districts. We are laying emphasis on aligning the road in such way that the eco-sensitive zones are least affected by the coastal highway project, said a senior official of the NHAI.