Minister, MP, MLA & INTACH oppose water aerodrome in Chilika

An Odisha minister, a ruling BJD MP, MLA and different organisations have opposed the Centre's proposal to set up a water aerodrome in the Chilika lake to promote tourism.

The opposition followed an in-principle approval by the Union government to a proposal for setting up of five water aerodromes, including one at the Chilika lake, in the country.

Odisha Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty, BJD MP Tathagat Satpahty, party MLA Sanjay Dasburma, INTACH and Lok Shakti Abhijan opposed the setting up of a water aerodrome in the Chilika lake.

The ruling BJD also declined to welcome the proposal even though the state government in March this year had urged to Centre to set up a water aerodrome in Chilika lake.

"Let the detailed project report (DPR) on the proposal come to the fore. We cannot welcome the project unless the party knows its impact on the environment and ecology," said BJD spokesman Sasmit Patra.

Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty said: "We are opposed to such a proposal. We'll draw the chief minister's attention towards such destructive idea."
Senior BJD MP Tathagat Satpathy in his twitter post wrote: "Quelle horreur! Proposed amphibian airport inside Chilika lake, one of the lergest brackish water lakes which gets thousands of winged visitors from around the globe, will surely make birds and marine life to vanish for ever. I strongly oppose such dumb ideas."