WithOdishaaspiring to be a major maritime state by exploring the potential along its 480 km-long coastline, the apprehends that the Indian PortsBill, 2021, if implemented, will be a major setback to that dream.
The state government has already raised objection to certain provisions in the draft Indian Ports Bill anticipating that the proposed legislation may end states control over non-major ports. If the ports bill gets implemented, the state government said it will centralize all powers with the Maritime States Development Council (MSDC).
At present, the Centre controls operation of major ports while coastal states or their maritime boards have full authority over non-major ports.
Besides, four more non-major ports one on the Subarnarekha river, a riverine port on the Mahanadi in Kendrapada district, one at Jatadhar river mouth and another at Astaranga are in the pipeline. There are eight other potential locations identified for development of ports along states coastline.
Earlier, theBihargovernment had evinced interest to set up a port facility along the states coastline, which has been accepted by the Odisha government. Besides, the government also has plans for Logistics park projects at Dhamara, Gopalpur and Subarnarekha.
While the states commerce and transport minister Padmanabha Behera has written a letter communicating Odishas objection to certain sections of the bill, official sources said the commerce and transport department has sought more time from the shipping ministry to convey its clause-by-clause views on the draft bill.