GPL's move to check coast erosion

BERHAMPUR (Orissa): Concerned over rise in erosion along the Orissa coast, Gopalpur Post Limited (GPL) has decided to build at least seven stone-walls near the port site to protect the coastal villages in Ganjam district.

The stone-walls, 400-500 metre long, will be constructed on the north side of the port site at Arjepalli, like the guard-walls on the marine drive near Chennai port, GPL Director M M Moharana said.

Agreeing to the proposal of residents of nearby villages who had assembled at Arjeepalli, about 25 km from here, the company authorities said a small hospital will come up near the port site to cater to the needs of the health services of nearby villages.

The officials and villagers assembled near the port site to participate in a public hearing by Orissa State Pollution Control Board on Tuesday for granting an environment clearance for expansion of the port.

"The Company will do these as part of its corporate social responsibility," Moharana said but did not spell out the amount earmarked for this purpose.

A Special Purpose Vehicle was formed by a consortium of three companies to develop the minor port into a major one aimed to handle about 10 mtpa in the year of 2010.

The SPV was formed by the consortium of companies including Sara International Private Limited, Orissa Stevedores Limited and Hong Kong-based Nobel Group Limited to develop it into a state-of-the-art, technology-driven port on Build Operate Owned and Transfer (BOOT) basis.