GPL to invest Rs 27 crore on building embankments

Gopalpur Ports Limited (GPL), a special purpose vehicle developing the minor port at Gopalpur into an all-weather port, has decided to construct at least eight stone groins (embankments) off the Ganjam coast in Orissa at a cost of Rs 27 crore.

These embankments are being built with the objective to prevent the entry of sea water into the villages and also check beach erosion.

“GPL has earmarked around Rs 27 crore for this purpose in its Detailed Project Report (DPR) which has been submitted to the state government”, said M M Moharana, one of the directors of GPL.

GPL is jointly promoted by Orissa Stevedores Limited (OSL) and Sara International Limited (SIL).

The proposed groins would be constructed in the vulnerable points of the Ganjam coast, from Arjeepalli to the mouth of river Rushikulya.

The building of groins has been delayed because the port authorities are yet to get the environment clearance from the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF).

The state government had earlier requested the MoEF for the grant of environment clearance to the project following the recommendations of the Orissa State Coastal Zone Management Authority (OSCZMA).

The port authorities, however, assured that the construction of groins would be taken up as soon as the clearance from the MoEF are received.

The port authorities have decided to invest around Rs 900 crore in the second stage of Phase-I project comprising construction of deep-water direct berthing facility.

GPL had recently achieved financial closure for the same and had signed a loan agreement with a consortium of 11 banks for a total amount of Rs 848.78 crores. As many as 28 villages are located in the 60-km long coastal belt in Ganjam district and at least seven villages of them are facing the threat from the Bay of Bengal due to the rapid beach erosion and high tidal waves.

Several fishermen stated they were living in fear of beach erosion.

The fear was more pronounced among the villagers of Sana Ajeepalli, Bada Arjeepalli, Katuru, Gokharakuda and Podampeta.

“We are living in fear as our village is located in close proximity to the sea. We have already apprised the district collector on the matter and the collector has assured to constitute a technical team to study the effect of port construction on beach erosion”, said K Alleya, sarpanch of Arjeepalli gram panchayat.

The collector has also directed the GPL authorities to take measures to stop rapid beach erosion.