The state of Odisha has requested the
federal government to establish a maritime university in the state to
facilitate and promote maritime study, training, and research. Minister for
Planning and Convergence, Commerce and Transport PadmanabhaBehera requested the
Centre to examine the proposal and assist in the establishment of the
university for the future development of the maritime sector on the east coast
of the country. He was attending the 3rd meeting of the National Sagarmala Apex
Committee (NSAC) on Friday in New Delhi.
Maritime transport
is extremely important for both economic and cultural development
“Maritime transport is extremely
important for both economic and cultural development. Around 95 per cent of
India’s trade by volume and 70 pc by value move through maritime transport,
which shows the importance of ports and their contribution in sustaining the
growth of the Indian economy. Once set up, the maritime university will promote
maritime studies and research,” he said.
The Minister also
placed demands for three railway line projects and urged the Ministry for Ports,
Shipping and Waterways to resolve the long pending issues regarding the
inviolable independence of coastal states in the matter of regulation and
administration of non-major ports and non nationalised waterways.
“Although the Ministry had last year
given an assurance to address our concerns appropriately, no tangible
improvement is noticed. We, therefore, request for proper examination at the
time of finalising the Indian Port bill,” Behera said. He demanded the
completion of Gopalpur-Rairakhol, Buramara-Chakulia and Badampahar-Keonjhar
Railway Link Projects at the earliest.
Since the present rail connectivity
arrangement is posing a constraint for future growth of rail-borne traffic to
Gopalpur port, the proposed Gopalpur-Rairakhol line would provide an important
port connectivity link.