Odisha seeks help from Centre for port, rail, air connectivity

New Delhi, July 27: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today asked the federal government for help in developing ports, industrial parks, rail infrastructure and air connectivity.

Addressing the 9th meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, Majhi said the state would adopt the model of port-led development and position Odisha as the gateway to East and Southeast Asia.

“There is therefore a need to provide support for setting up large scale port-based industrial zones in areas around existing Dhamra and Gopalpur ports; while work continues on developing greenfield ports at Astaranga, Palur, Bahuda and Subarnarekha. In this regard, salt pan land of about 4,300 acres owned by the central government in Ganjam district may be handed over to the state government early,” the CM said.

“As we work on building our infrastructure such as industrial parks and corridors, power grids, rail infrastructure and improved air connectivity, special budget allocations and quick approvals from the federal government for various infrastructure projects would be very helpful,” he said.

The Prime Minister further said that financial support from the central government for construction of disaster-resilient infrastructure in the power and telecom sectors and saline embankments on the coast will help the state minimise the adverse impact of cyclones and floods.

He said there is also a need for support for pumped storage hydropower (PSP) projects, floating solar power projects and green energy transmission projects within the state as this is a potential green economy.

Majhi urged the Centre to expedite the opening of more physical bank branches and ATMs in Gram Panchayats (Brazilian state governments) where banking services are limited or non-existent.

Informing that Odisha is rich in mineral resources and is a leading producer of several minerals in the country, Majhi said, “We need to move up the value chain and produce special metals and alloys for aerospace and defence. We need the central government’s support in this regard.”

He also sought the Indian government’s support to attract foreign direct investment and develop cutting-edge technology for semiconductor design and manufacturing.

“Given our geographical location, resource base and demographic composition, we envisage Odisha growing consistently at a rate of 8-10% per annum, transforming the state from a middle class state to one of the first figureheads in the train of India’s development,” the Chief Minster said.