World Bank to provide Rs140cr for CZM project

The World Bank has agreed to provide Rs 140 crore assistance to Orissa for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) project. This is Rs 40 crore more than the Rs 100 crore sought by the state government for implementing the project.

Since, the World Bank appreciated the efforts of the state government to check sea erosion, preservation of monuments in the sea coast and construction of cyclone shelter among others, the sanction for this project is expected by June next year, official sources said here.

“ We have submitted the draft detailed project report (DPR) for the ICZM project and hope the sanction from the World bank for this project to come by June 2009”, Bhagirathi Behera, director, environment, Orissa government, told Business Standard.

The Rs 100 crore ICZM project of the state government covering 120 km coastal stretch from Dhamara, Paradeep, Chilika and Gopalpur was submitted to the World Bank for assistance in September 2008. Expressing satisfaction over the Orissa project details, the World Bank has agreed in principle to provide Rs 140 crore.

Meanwhile, the forest and environment department has issued instruction to the collectors of Kendarapara and Jagatsinghpur to comply with the recommendation of the house committee on environment of the Orissa Legislative Assembly (OLA) to include Mahakalpada in the peripheral development plan of IFFCO plant located in Jagatsinghpur district.

Though Mahakalpada is in Kendarapara district, the area is being affected by the pollution caused by the IFFCO plant.

The house committee on environment submitted a report to the State Assembly in 2006 stating that Kendarapara collector should take up the peripheral development work in Mahakalpada from the peripheral development funds made available by IFFCO.

Expressing concern over the non-compliance of the recommendations of the house committee, the environment directorate today issued instructions to collectors of Kendarapara and Jagatsinghpur to immediately comply with the recommendation and report to the government, sources said.