Naveen demands rollback of extension of Kolkata Port

Bhubaneswar, Jan 31 (PTI) Terming as wrong and incorrectthe move to extend the limits of Kolkata Port, Orissa ChiefMinister Naveen Patnaik today demanded its rollback as itwould engulf vast areas in the state and affect the upcomingport at Dhamra.

"It has been wrongly and incorrectly decided to extend thelimits of Kolkata Port right up to the boundary of DhamraPort," Patnaik told reporters here.

"This is not justifiable in the interest of Orissa," hesaid adding he would meet Shipping Minister G K Vasan in Delhion February 2 to seek rollback of the decision to expandKolkata port''s limit.

"We have already lodged a complaint with the Centreagainst extension of Kolkata port," Chief Secretary B KPatnaik said adding if necessary the state government wouldchallenge the move in the court.

Describing the extension as "illegal and unilateral",a senior official said a letter has already been sent to theSecretary, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highwaysseeking a rollback of the move.

Extension of limits of Kolkata port 200 km south of Haldiainto the Bay would block the entire coast of north Orissawhere around half-a-dozen new ports are being developed, hesaid adding Dhamra port is almost complete.

The entire deep sea alongside north Orissa coast would nowfall under the limit of Kolkata port which would jeopardisethe maritime activities of Orissa, the letter said.