The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
PARADIP, SEPT 30, 2022
The public hearing for the proposed 4.5 MTPA captive riverine jetty of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) at the bank of River Mahanadi in Udayabata village in Jagatsinghpur District, conducted by the Regional Office of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), here today passed off with the local people overwhelmingly supporting the proposed project.
Paradip ADM Kanhu Charan Dhir presided over the meeting; while OSPCB Regional Officer Puskar Chandra Behera conducted the public hearing meeting in presence of Paradip Additional SP Nimain Charan Sethy, OSPCB Paradip Deputy Environment Engineers Bibechita Sarangi and Twinkle Mohanty and Paradip Lock Police Station IIC Sabyasachi Rout.
Nearly 700 people including members of the local community, NGOs, representatives of media were present during the meeting. A total of 80 persons from the community spoke on the occasion out of whom 75 spoke in favour of the proposed project and extended their support.
Besides the project details, people present in the meeting enquired about the various aspects related to environmental pollution, community and peripheral development, employment benefits, which were then apprised by AM/NS India representatives.
Akash Mohapatra, Head-Environment, AM/NS India, Odisha operations explained the probable impact envisaged and environment management programme to be implemented as mitigation measures to minimize the impact on environment. He assured that the best technology will be deployed for safeguarding of the environment and protection of the riverbank.
With an aim to minimize air pollution by negating road transport through trucks, AM/NS India has planned to come up with a captive riverine jetty at Paradip which will help in reducing road traffic to Paradip Port and also in reducing carbon footprint.
The estimated project cost for the 4.5 MTPA riverine barge jetty will be approximately Rs 156.85 crore. This project will create job opportunity for 220 people during the construction phase and 110 people during the operational period of jetty. Local youth would be given priority in employment, based on skills. Besides, the company has set aim to bring all round development in local community.
From project proponent side of AM/NS India, Suresha G, Executive Director, Odisha operations; Akash Mohapatra, Head-Environment, Subhakant Dash, Head-Ports; PK Mohanty, Joint General Manager, Corporate Affairs; Vikas Yadvendu, Head-CSR and Suvendu Dash, Senior Manager-Environment were present.
