BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday requested the Centre to include more proposals from Odisha in the national perspective plan under the Sagarmala project.
Addressing the second meeting of the national Sagarmala apex committee, the Chief Minister expressed concern that out of the nine projects proposed to the Union Shipping Ministry under the project, only two proposals have been included in the draft national perspective plan (NPP).
The State Government had submitted nine proposals, including four road connectivity projects, four rail connectivity projects and an industrial park at Dhamra, based on the discussions during the first meeting of the apex committee in October 2015.
The Chief Minister requested Union Minister for Shipping and Road Transport Nitish Gadkari to include other connectivity proposals and industrial park in the NPP.
He suggested that road and rail connectivity projects for Dhamra and Gopalpur projects should be taken up on priority basis.
He demanded that in addition to the proposals submitted earlier, three additional projects including a riverine port on river Mahanadi, petrochemicals cluster at Paradip and steel cluster at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district should be approved for inclusion under Sagarmala.
Naveen said adequate funds should be provided under the coastal community development to enhance socio-economic condition of fishermen in the districts and evolve a clear funding pattern under Sagarmala initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said efforts are on to mobilise required resources from national and international sources to take the process of development of ports along the coast forward.
He assured the Chief Minister that every effort will be made to prioritise port development in Odisha including special economic zones (SEZs) and connecting ports to hinterland by railways and road.
Gadkari sought the cooperation of coastal State Governments, which he said, is critical for boosting domestic and international trade for achieving sustainable high economic growth rate. He said the Centre is keen to achieve the objectives of Sagarmala project latest by 2025.