Balasore, June 5: Bhograi MLA Ananta Das has threatened to stall the Paradip-Haldia oil pipeline as a part of economic blockade, if the notification for extension of the Calcutta Port Trust (CPT) is not revoked.
“We will be forced to take such drastic step if the Centre doesn’t intervene and revoke the notification. The extension of the Calcutta Port Trust’s limit is an infringement on our coastline,” Das, who is also Balasore district unit president of the BJD, said.
“Our party, which has been floated to protect the state’s interest, will fight tooth and nail against the CPT move,” said the BJD leader, adding that all 13 MLAs and two MPs of undivided Balasore district would participate in the agitation.
According to the notification, issued on November 22 last year, the CPT limits have been extended.
“By virtue of the notification, it covers the entire coastline of undivided Balasore district and even a part of Dhamra port. This is unjust and affects the economic development of the state when port work at Chaumukh is under progress and some other ports at Bichitrapur, Bahabalpur, Chandipur, Inchudi and Chudamni are in the pipeline,” Das said.
The CPT move and the UPA government would jeopardise the state’s interest, said Das, a former senior government official.
“The Haldia port lies defunct due to slitting. Moreover, the port authorities are spending nearly Rs 1,000 crore for dredging,” said the MLA.
Although chief minister Naveen Patnaik had taken up the matter with the shipping ministry, the Centre was overlooking the state’s interest under pressure from Bengal, he said.
Das called upon the people and the elected representatives of the coastal district to join hands and actively participate in the protest movement.
Balasore, June 5:Bhograi MLA and Balasore district unit president of ruling BJD Ananta Das has threatened to stall the Paradip-Haldia oil pipe line as a part of economic blockade, if the notification for extension of Calcutta Port Trust was not revoked .
“ We will be compelled to take such drastic step if the centre doesn’t intervene and revoke the notification . The extension of Calcutta Port Trust's limit is an infringement on our coast line”, Das said .
“ Our party, which has been floated to protect the State's interest, will fight against the Calacutta Port Trust's move tooth and nail', said the BJD leader adding that all 13 MLAs and 2 MPs of undivided Balasore district would participate in the agitation.
As per the the notification issued on November 22 last year, the limits of the Calcutta Port Turst has has been extended .
“By virtue of the notification it covers the entire coast line of undivided Balasore district and even a part of Dhamra port .Not only this is unjust, it also affects the economic development of the State when port work at Chaumukh is under progress and some other ports at Bichitrapur , Bahabalpur, Chandipur, Inchudi and Chudamni are in the pipe line ” , Das pointed out .
The move of the Calcutta Port Trust and the UPA government at the Centre will thus jeopardise the State's interest, said Das, a former senior government official.
“ The Haldia port is almost defunct due to slitting .And the port authorities are spending nearly Rs 1,000 crore for dredging ”, said the BJD legislator.
Although CM Naveen Patnaik had taken up the matter with the shipping ministry, the Centre is overlooking Orissa's interest under pressure from West Bengal, he alleged.
Das called upon the people and the elected representatives of the coastal district to join hands and actively participate in the protest movement.
