A ship at Paradip port

Paradip, Aug. 6: A tussle between the municipal and Paradip Port Trust authorities over land ownership has created hurdles for implementation of urban infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 32 crore in the civil township and its outskirts.

In spite of having enough money, the municipality has failed to set in motion some urban development projects due to the lack of land.

The port trust’s rigid stance has angered local residents and various local outfits have threatened to agitate seeking expeditious implementation of the projects.

Sizeable areas of the municipality come under the administrative control of the Paradip Port Trust. Dispute over the ownership of land has made matters worse with both the port trust and the municipality authorities laying claims and counter-claims over certain plots of land.

“The municipality is overflowing with funds. But we have failed to utilise it for public purposes because of the port’s rigid approach,” said Paradip Municipality executive officer Sharada Prasad Panda.

The projects in question include the World Bank-funded solid-waste management system, slum-cluster development and resettlement of squatters and streamlining of the drinking water system.

“We have drawn up a detailed project report to lay concrete roads in slum settlements, supply water and drinking water. But our plan has gone awry as the port trust is objecting to it. People in slum colonies are leading a pathetic life with no water and electricity. But the port is not in a mood to budge an inch,” Panda said.