A team which went to the proposed Subarnarekha Port site on Thursday faced stiff opposition from the anti-projects activists and locals.

One of the vehicles of the team led by the Director, Port Padmalochan Roul was detained by the protesters.

The protestors said that they won’t allow  both the port and  petroleum  refinery to take off  in the area. Their land is highly fertile which is conducive for  paddy , betel vine  and fisheries  etc, they told.

They alleged that the establishment  of the port and refinery will deprive them of their livelihoods. The team was scheduled to visit Kankadapal, the confluence of sea and river  after visiting Chaumukh but could not proceed due to the agitation. Consequently, the plan was abandoned.

A senior official of the eight-member team said that  the team made a scientific study including soil, water quality and flora and fauna  in the proposed site at Chaumukh and Dagara , yet the plan for the visit to Kankadapal was abandoned  as agitators  of around 200  obstructed  the way.

He further said  the land acquisition for the  rail line and widening of  road  linking  to the proposed   was underway while no  private land is  required for acquisition. The Subarnarekha port with estimated cost over Rs 5,000 crore  is one of the mega projects in the district.

“For construction of a new rail  line  and  widening of existing roads  private land  acquisition is required. About 400 acres  of private land would be required. More and more people  are volunteering to register their land  for  the cause. In fact  people want port to be established here. For the port, the Government  has already given land.  Soon after the land for the rail is acquired, the port work will begin,” said a senior official of the proposed port, adding other infrastructure upgradation including  electrical, in the meantime, is in progress.

It may be noted  the  work  for the proposed Subarnarekha port will be established  in Baliapal block( Chaumukh and Dagara) for which foundation stone was laid by the Chief Minister before the last general elections in 2019.