The State Government would soon present a fresh Bill in the Assembly for establishment of the proposed Odisha Maritime Board (OMB) in order to look into issues of maritime development and coastal security.
The State Commerce and Transport Department has informed this to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the nodal agency for implementation of any coastal security scheme.
“A fresh Bill has been prepared and steps are being taken to submit the same before the State Assembly,” said Commerce and Transport Secretary G Srinivas.
The State Government had earlier decided to set up the OMB, which would act as a single window agency for development of ports and inland waterways. Accordingly, a Bill had been prepared. Now, new clauses would be added to give this bill a fresh shape.
According to plans, the Odisha Maritime Board would have power to direct and implement maritime development programmes in the State with private sector participation.
Odisha has a 485-km-long coastline needs to be protected, feels the Union Government. Hence, the Centre has many times asked the State Government form a Maritime Board.
Recently, it came up in the meeting of the National Committee on Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security (NCSMCS), where the State Government was asked to set up the proposed OMB at the earliest.
Some other State Governments, including Kerala, have already set up respective State Maritime Boards for proper development of coastal zone and strengthening of coastal security. Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board Bill is under the inter-Ministerial circulation at the MHA.
While Odisha Government is planning a large scale expansion of the port sector, the OMB, with a technical wing, would play a vital role in assessing new cargo generation from time to time and looking for new investment avenues in ports and inland waterways sectors.
The OMB would receive funds from the Centre for maritime development and security.
The earlier maritime institution was also to plan and implement the process of attracting private sector investments in inland waterways in tune with the policies of the Ministry of Shipping.
So, in absence of such an institution, maritime development is not taking proper shape and coastal security management is posing a problem, said sources.
