Orissa hits back over DRDO objection to port projects

With the Ministry of Defence objecting to some of the non-major port projects proposed along the coast of north Orissa, the state government has started playing hardball, restricting the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) from carrying out its missile testing activities.

The state government has seemingly adopted a retaliatory step after its persistent efforts to persuade the ministry for developing the port projects has failed to cut any ice so far.

Asked on the reasons for restraining DRDO from performing its testing activities, the state Chief Secretary said, “The defence ministry is also raising objections to some of our proposed minor port projects. We are committed to protect our state's interests and are concerned about the fate of these port projects. We are trying for a better coordination between the state government and the defence ministry to resolve the issue.”

Earlier in July this year, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had refused permission to DRDO to use the state's coastline for carrying out Seaward Artillery Practice and Manoeuvres when the organization's chief V K Saraswat had met him.

DRDO had been conducting field firing and artillery practice along sea coast in the districts of Balasore and Bhadrakh for a long time. The state government was giving permission to the DRDO without any objections. However, the state did not renew the permission resulting in disruption in field firing and artillery practice since April 2011.

The defence ministry had objected to construction of a port at Chudamani by Essel Mining and Industries Limited, an Aditya Birla Group company.

Since the proposed port was close to the missile testing centre at Wheeler Island in Bhadrak district and the ITR at Chandipur in Balasore district, DRDO had objected to the project. The state government had, however, argued that port project and the activities of DRDO can go hand in hand.

Besides Chudamani, the defence ministry had also objected to setting up of ports at Bahabalpur, Chandipur and Inchudi.