Dhamra - Pride of Odisha since the Moughal era...
Dhamra is one of the most ancient ports of India and dates back to 1800. While many of the ancient ports were forgotten with the ravages of time, even during the British Raj, this port was vibrant and served as an important link for trade and commerce between Bengal & Orissa. The first official notification defining the limits of the port dates back to 28.3.1881, published in the Calcutta Gazette. The port limits were subsequently extended on 09.06.1931 and again re-defined in 1997 by the Government of Odisha.
The port continued to thrive till after independence when it fell to disuse except as a fishing port.
The State Government decided to develop it into a modern deep port in 1997 following a pre-feasibility study by RITES. The Dhamra Port Company Limited was selected as a Public Private Partnership on BOOST basis.
Environmental Clearance
- The Environment Clearance for the port was obtained under the CRZ notification after 2 years of scrutiny.
- Being an area already notified as a port, the clearance was granted by the Empowered Committee for Environmental Clearance of the Ministry of Surface Transport
Environmental Clearance Upheld By National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA)
- The Environment Clearance was challenged before the NEAA.
- NEAA after visiting the site made the following observations :
- The grant of EC for the said Port Expansion Project is made by Empowered Committee for Environmental Clearance for Port Projects of the Ministry of Surface Transport. It follows the guidelines issued for Environmental Clearance of Ports issued vide SO no (E) dated 9.7.97
- Clay soil beign very sticky in nature, the area between the Low Tide Line and High Tide Line to be covered by the Dhamra Port Expansion Project, could never become a breeding center for turtles
The NEAA in a detailed judgment have upheld the Environment Clearance
Pseudo environmental organizations have come together to stop the upcoming port and its related developments. They are deliberately playing with the livelihood of more than 50,000 Odia families who will gain from the upcoming port. The objections raised against the development work of the port on the grounds of adverse ecologocical impact and the nesting of Olive Ridley Turtles are not supported by actual facts. |
