An MLA from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has threatened to launch a stir over the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) limit controversy.
The BJD legislator from Bhograi, Ananta Das, has threatened to launch a blockade of the Paradip-Haldia pipeline if the KoPT notification extending the port’s limit 200 km south towards the Dhamra port is not withdrawn.
Das, a bureaucrat turned politician, is outraged that two of the port sites in his constituency ? Subernarekha (Talasari) and Bichitrapur ?are going to be affected by the KoPT notification. According to the MLA, the new KoPT limit would cause hurdles in the development of ports at six potential sites and commercial operations of the Dhamra port on the Orissa coast.
Meanwhile, at the tripartite talks between the representatives of the Union shipping ministry, Orissa government and the KoPT in New Delhi on Thursday, it was decided to wait for the Supreme Court decision on the matter.
The KoPT has gone to the Supreme Court challenging the Orissa High Court’s interim order staying the operation of the notification. The apex court has fixed June 6 for hearing the SLP filed by KoPT.
Orissa chief secretary BK Patnaik said the notification would seal the fate of number of ports on the Orissa coast.
The Paradip-Haldia crude oil pipeline of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) passes through the Bhograi Assembly constituency.