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| GPL earmarks Rs 27 cr to check beach erosion |
| Press Trust of India / Berhampur (Orissa) Aug 06, 2009, 15:08 IST |
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Gopalpur Port (GPL), a consortium of three companies to develop the minor port into a major one of Orissa's Ganjam coast, has earmarked around Rs 27 crore to check beach erosion in the coastal areas.
The company plans to spend about Rs 10 crore in the first phase for the purpose under corporate social responsibility (CSR) plan, following allegation of massive erosion in the nearby villages.
GPL, a consortiqm of the Nobel group of Hong Kong, Sara International of New Delhi and Orissa Stevedores, has already completed its first phase of work and aims to start the second phase to handle around 40 mt of cargo with investment of around Rs 950 crore.
We hava earmarked Rs 27 crore for the CSR in our detailed project report (DPR) prepared by IIT-Chennai, said one of the directors of the GPL, M M Maharana.
The company has planned to construct protection walls in the adjoining villages of the port to protect them from the fury of the sea.
We plan to protect the villages by adopting measures similar to those taken by southern Indian ports like Visakhapatnam and Chennai, he said.
The port authorities have also planned to revive the fishing lying defunct for several years. Reviving the jetty and protecting the villages from the sea are some of the demands of the fishing communities.
A meeting was held with the district administration, port authorities and the activists of the traditional marine fishermen of the districts, where the fisher folk placed their demands. The meeting was held when the fishermen of the district alleged that the high tidal wave (HTW) entered some of their villages due to ongoing construction of the port.
We have urged the port authorities to take adequate steps to protect fishermen dominated villages from beach erosion and also to revive the fishing jetty at Arjeepalli for the convenience of the fishermen, K Alleya, general secretary of Orissa Traditional Fish Workers Union said.
Meanwhile, Orissa State Coastal Zone Management Authority (Osczma), consituted by the central government to enforce the Coastal Zone Management Plan (czmp) and to monitor violation of coastal zone regulations (CZR) has already visited the site and submitted an interim report to government.
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