Unsafe wheels put schoolkids at risk - Vehicles overloaded with schoolchildren go unpunished in Paradip because of lack of surveillance

Risky Game: An overloaded vehicle carries schoolchildren in Paradip. Telegraph picture Paradip, March 29: The safety of schoolchildren commuting through various modes of transport to their respective institutions here is at stake. The safety issues of the schoolchildren apparently do not remain in priority list of the authorities of the English medium private schools that have lately mushroomed in this port town. The sight of small children packed like sardines in pick-up vans, autorickshaws and cyclerickshaws are too glaring to escape one’s notice. The overloaded vehicles give a distasteful look of miniature cattle wagons full of children. “The journey is highly unsafe. Most of the vehicles that carry schoolchildren in Paradip traverse though the accident-prone national highway and state highway. With the vehicles being overloaded, threat of mishaps looms large,” said Binayak Swain, child rights activist. “There are around 20 private educational institutions in the port town and its periphery. Most of these schools do not have bus service of their own. Parents are forced to ferry their wards in private transports modes like vans, autorickshaws and cyclerickshaws. These vehicles do not stick to safety norms while ferrying the children,” he said. “My son is enrolled in a school that is around 2km from our residence. I accompany him to the school in a rickshaw. I was initially thinking of sending him on pick-up vans. But I gave up the idea as it is a not a safe mode of transportation,” said Suchismita Pattnaik, a homemaker. There is no mechanism to regulate the transport vehicles that are carrying schoolchildren. Neither the road transport department nor the civil administration is paying attention to the issue. Even the school authorities are found washing off their hands from this tricky issue. “We have hired buses on contract to ferry children from distant locations. We do not have any other school-owned transport mode for children. It’s the responsibility of parents and guardians to see that children are brought to school safely,” said James Tharanyl, principal, Saint Joseph’s public school. “The vehicles carrying children beyond their capacity are liable to face penal action. But the fact is that the administration is not in receipt of a single complaint in this regard. Still, the road transport authorities are being directed to keep watch on the school vehicles,” said Sarojkanta Choudhury, additional district magistrate. According to child rights activist Swain, there are instances of unlawful operation of school vehicles with LPG gas cylinders. Incidentally, the port town is not having any authorised centre for gas kits for vehicular use. The operators are putting the small children at risk. But they are going unpunished because of gross absence of surveillance by motor vehicle inspectors.    (sourced from the telegraph)

Education For All-

News cutting from The Dharitri dt.24.03.2011

News cutting from The Dharitri dt.24.03.2011

Land trouble for six primary schools in Paradip

MANOJ KAR

Classes at Loknath Colony Project Primary School are being conducted temporarily at an anganwadi centre and (right) the another primary school functioning in a thatched house in Paradip. Telegraph pictures Paradip, March 25: The government-run primary education system is the latest victim of dual administration in the port town. Six government-run primary schools do not have permanent buildings as the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) authorities refused to allot land to the state government to construct the buildings. At present, the schools are being operated from temporary structures. These schools are meant for slum children belonging to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities. All these schools are housed in temporary accommodation extended by private organisations. Though flush with funds under reconstruction of school buildings programme (RSBP), the school and mass education department has failed bring up school buildings as the port authorities have thrown a spanner on their plan. “Within the Paradip Municipality’s jurisdiction, there are 14 government-run primary schools. “While eight of those located within the planned civil township have permanent buildings, the rest of such schools in slum settlements are languishing without buildings of their own,” said Surath Mallick, executive officer, Paradip Municipality. “The schools lacking building infrastructure are Bangalipada Primary School (ward-18), Loknath Colony Project Primary School, Lockpada Primary School, Bangalipada Primary School (ward-6), Balijhara Gholapada Primary School and Beer-Factory Primary School,” said Debendra Das, district inspector of schools, Kujang. “The schools are presently functioning temporarily in local anganwadi centres, the offices of self-help groups and youth clubs. Academic activities are getting affected for obvious reasons as the schools do not have their own infrastructure. Children enrolled in these schools are getting deprived of mid-day meal as there is no room for cooking foods for the school’s children,” said Mallick, executive officer of the municipality. The Jagatsinghpur district collector, Narayan Chandra Jena, said: “These schools are facing several problems. The administration has decided to solve the crisis as children from poor families are enrolled in these schools. The municipality authorities and the school and mass education department officials have been directed to submit a report regarding the lack of infrastructure of these institutions.” “The private building where our school is functioning also houses an anganwadi centre, an organisation’s office, and a self-help group office, besides a youth club. On most occasions, we are forced to teach students on the balcony of the building. There is no facility to provide meals to the children,” said Laxmi Mahakud, headmistress of the Loknath Colony Project Primary School. The PPT authorities, however, said the problem is that these government-run institutions have come up in unauthorised and encroached land. “The PPT’s policy is not against opening up of schools by the government. But it should be established in a litigation-free land,” said Pravat Kumar Nanda, secretary of the PPT.   (sourced from the telegraph)

Land trouble for six primary schools in Paradip

MANOJ KAR

Classes at Loknath Colony Project Primary School are being conducted temporarily at an anganwadi centre and (right) the another primary school functioning in a thatched house in Paradip. Telegraph pictures

Paradip, March 25: The government-run primary education system is the latest victim of dual administration in the port town.

Six government-run primary schools do not have permanent buildings as the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) authorities refused to allot land to the state government to construct the buildings. At present, the schools are being operated from temporary structures. These schools are meant for slum children belonging to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities.

All these schools are housed in temporary accommodation extended by private organisations. Though flush with funds under reconstruction of school buildings programme (RSBP), the school and mass education department has failed bring up school buildings as the port authorities have thrown a spanner on their plan.

“Within the Paradip Municipality’s jurisdiction, there are 14 government-run primary schools.

“While eight of those located within the planned civil township have permanent buildings, the rest of such schools in slum settlements are languishing without buildings of their own,” said Surath Mallick, executive officer, Paradip Municipality.

“The schools lacking building infrastructure are Bangalipada Primary School (ward-18), Loknath Colony Project Primary School, Lockpada Primary School, Bangalipada Primary School (ward-6), Balijhara Gholapada Primary School and Beer-Factory Primary School,” said Debendra Das, district inspector of schools, Kujang.

“The schools are presently functioning temporarily in local anganwadi centres, the offices of self-help groups and youth clubs. Academic activities are getting affected for obvious reasons as the schools do not have their own infrastructure. Children enrolled in these schools are getting deprived of mid-day meal as there is no room for cooking foods for the school’s children,” said Mallick, executive officer of the municipality.

The Jagatsinghpur district collector, Narayan Chandra Jena, said: “These schools are facing several problems. The administration has decided to solve the crisis as children from poor families are enrolled in these schools. The municipality authorities and the school and mass education department officials have been directed to submit a report regarding the lack of infrastructure of these institutions.”

“The private building where our school is functioning also houses an anganwadi centre, an organisation’s office, and a self-help group office, besides a youth club. On most occasions, we are forced to teach students on the balcony of the building. There is no facility to provide meals to the children,” said Laxmi Mahakud, headmistress of the Loknath Colony Project Primary School.

The PPT authorities, however, said the problem is that these government-run institutions have come up in unauthorised and encroached land.

“The PPT’s policy is not against opening up of schools by the government. But it should be established in a litigation-free land,” said Pravat Kumar Nanda, secretary of the PPT.

  (sourced from the telegraph)

Classes at Loknath Colony Project Primary School are being conducted temporarily at an anganwadi centre and (right) the another primary school functioning in a thatched house in Paradip. Telegraph pictures

Folk art reawakens

Folk art reawakens

MANOJ KAR

Artistes perform Mughal tamasha and Ghumra forms of folk art at the culture festival in Paradip. Telegraph picture Paradip, March 21: Mughal tamasha, a traditional folk art that is a prominent remnant of Muslim rule in the state, was enacted with brilliance as the Orissa Sangeet Natak Academy (OSNA) tried to revive the dying tradition on the concluding day of a two-day cultural festival in Paradip last week. Dressed in glittering clothes, the artistes put on an appealing show. Shadow puppetry, a form of folk art that is on the verge of extinction, was also a major attraction at the two-day festival that was jointly organised by the OSNA, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Calcutta and Paradip Port Trust. Talking about Mughal tamasha, art critic Sriman Mishra said the theme and script of the play that was performed subtly portrayed the complex multi-racial ingredients of medieval Orissa. “It revolves round the visit of a Mughal emperor’s revenue collector to a remote village. Driven by curiosity, the representative of the Muslim ruler visits a Hindu temple. He comes across a beautiful local woman from the milkmen community falls in love. It’s the love that conquers intricate barriers of religion, language and economic status,” said Mishra. Pratap Kumar Sahany, secretary, Orissa Sangeet Natak Academy, said that despite ample doses of entertainment and creativity, this folk art form that grew and flourished mainly in Bhadrak district is now on a fast decline. “About three decades ago, there were a number of troupes who performed Mughal tamasha. “Now, there are perhaps a couple of active troupes. It’s a unique folkart that is symbolic of the state’s rich cultural history. It needs to be conserved. The Orissa Sangeet Natak Acedemy is doing its best to save the art with support from the Union ministry of culture and various other organisations”. The play that was performed dates back to 18th century and was a classic case in point of Hindu-Muslim unity. The dramatised version bore ample testimony to the fact that both communities co-existed peacefully. Orissa ,then a part of the Bengal-Bihar province rich with indigenous culture was free from communal tension. “Mughal tamasha brings under focus the influence of Muslim rule in Oriya culture. The dresses, ornaments, food habits, art and culture of the Oriya people were deeply influenced by Islamic culture,” said Dipti Prakash Pattnaik, a folk art lover. Both Mughal tamasha and shadow puppetry found plenty of appreciators. “The shadow puppetry show and the enactment of the Ramayan and the killing of demon king Ravan was a treat to watch. It was exhilarating. My child enjoyed the show very much,” said Sarat Rout, a resident of the port town, Paradip. sourced from 'the telegraph'

Smooth ride for examinees

Paradip, March 14: This year, students appearing for the high school certificate (HSC) examination in the port town can expect a traffic jam-free ride to their centres.

Authorities here have decided to put the brakes on the movement of heavy vehicles used to transport mineral ore on the Paradip-Daitary Expressway. The prohibition will remain effective during the scheduled examination days for almost a fortnight from March 16 to 29.

“We have decided to impose a prohibitory order on the movement of ore-laden trucks on National Highway 5 (A) between Daitari and Paradip port to ensure the smooth conduct of the HSC examination.

“This stretch is hit by frequent traffic jams. So, there won’t be any heavy vehicle movement on the NH during the HSC annual examination that will be held from March 16 to 29,” said additional district magistrate, Akuli Charan Bhuyan.

The NH-5 (A) is the principal road route that connects several HSC examination centres. Therefore, the administration thinks it’s wise to restrict vehicular movement during the scheduled examination days.

“The prohibition is being imposed under various sections under rule-115 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, and also on the basis of regulations framed under the Orissa Motor Vehicle Rules,” said Bhuyan.

As many as 23, 248 examinees are appearing for the annual HSC examination this year in 103 examination centres. Keeping in view the enormous traffic load on the NH because of the spurt in iron-ore transportation to Paradip port, the government had constituted a high-power committee that included collectors of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar and Jajpur districts.

Any movement of ore-laden trucks during examination days will lead to confiscation of the loaded vehicles and imposition of hefty penalty under the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act.

“To restore traffic order, we have now restricted the number of such trucks to 1,300 everyday. The principal mining hub of Joda-Barbil will have the right to release 1,000 loaded vehicles while 300 loaded trucks from the rest of the mining belt in Jajpur district will be allowed to ply on the expressway,” said Bhuyan

This highway is referred to as the lifeline of Paradip port as it connects it with the mineral-rich hinterland in Keonjhar and Jajpur districts.

With the export of iron-ore being at an all-time high at present, there has been enormous pressure on the highway.

Authorities here have decided to put brakes on mineral ore transportation through heavy vehicles on the Paradip-Daitary Expressway for the smooth conduct of this year’s annual high school certificate examination. The prohibition would remain effective during the scheduled examination days from almost for a fortnight from 16 March to the 29th.

It was apprehended from various quarters that students appearing the examination might get stranded on the way to examination centres as the busy NH is hit by frequent traffic jam bottleneck.

“We have decided to impose prohibitory order on the movement of ore-laden trucks on the National Highway 5A, between Daitari and Paradip port to ensure the smooth conduct of the HSC examination. There would be no heavy vehicle movement on the NH during the the HSC annual examination that would be held from 16 March till the 29 March”, said Additional District Magistrate, Akuli Charan Bhuyan.

There is every likelihood that the examinees, parents, invigilators and teachers would be affected by the heavy rush of traffic on the said NH. The NH-5 (A) is the principal road route that is connecting several HSC examination centres. Thus administration has thought it prudent to restrict vehicular movement during the scheduled examination days, he said.

The prohibition is being imposed under various sections of under rule-115 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and also on the basis of regulations framed under the Orissa Motor Vehicle Rules, said ADM Bhuyan.

23, 248 examinees are appearing the annual HSC examination this year in 103 examination centres, said officials.

Keeping in view the enormous traffic load on the said NH because of the spurt in iron-ore transportation to Paradip port, the government had earlier constituted a high-power comprising with the collectors of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar and Jajpur districts. The district magistrate and collector of Kendrapara is the nodal officer to ensure smooth traffic on this stretch.

Any movement of ore-laden trucks during the examination days would invite confiscation of the loaded vehicles and imposition of hefty penalty under motor vehicle act provision.

“To restore traffic order, we have now limited plying of such loaded trucks to 1,300 everyday. The principal mining hub of Joda-Barbil would have the right to release 1,000 loaded vehicles while 300 loaded trucks from the rest of mining belt in Jajpur district would be allowed to ply on the expressway,” said ADM Bhuyan

The highway in question is referred to as the lifeline of Paradip port because it connects it with the mineral-rich hinterland in Keonjhar and Jajpur districts. With the export of iron-ore being at an all-time high at present, there has been enormous pressure on the highway.

     (sourced from the telegraph)

Mock fight off Paradip coast to keep forces on toes - Joint naval exercise Hamla-2 shows might of coastal security in Bay of Bengal Members of the coastal security perform their exercise off Paradip coast.

MANOJ KAR

Members of the coastal security perform their exercise off Paradip coast. Telegraph picture

Paradip, March 15: A mock mid-sea battle was fought off the Paradip coast today as part of a coastal security exercise with the concerned agencies putting up a spirited show of preparedness to counter possible terror strikes besides infiltration and sea-route smuggling.

Named “Hamla-2”, this mock drill was the fourth in the series of such exercises taking place along the 480km porous coastline in the past two years.

“The two-day mock security drill is a coordinated teamwork by naval wing, coast guard, customs, Paradip Port Trust, state marine police and state fisheries department to counter coastal security exigencies. Earlier it was successfully carried out in country’s sensitive coastal territories to reenergise coastal security preparedness,” said officials of Coast Guard, Paradip.

“The Coast Guard, Paradip, district headquarters is the coordinating agency of this security exercise with active participation of other agencies to bolster the sea-route security. The two-day surveillance exercise is covering the coastline extending from Digha to Gopalpur south coast,” said Coast Guard commandant Saroj Kumar Sahu.

“The whole focus of this venture is to inculcate a combative spirit in the agencies involved in coastal security. In case of any eventuality of a sea-route subversive activity, the mock drill would keep them better prepared to face the crisis,” said Sahu.

“The 26/11 Mumbai sea route terror strike was enacted. The anti-national forces penetrated the security ring to perpetrate the Mumbai terror strike while security personnel masquerading as terror groups were intercepted by agile and vigilant coastal security forces,” said a state marine police official.

Naval ships INS Nirvika. INS Sabitri, INS Bibhuti and Coast Guard service ships Braja, Chanda Bibi and Sarojini Naidu apart from four aircraft and sea-worthy vessels took part in the mock drill. All the aggressors were neutralised by the coastal defence force during the exercise.

The exercise that forms part of the Centre’s coastal security plan, intends to improve the coordinating capabilities of dealing with any coastal contingency and exigency.

The joint naval exercise or the Operation Hamla is the fourth of its kind that has got underway along Orissa’s shoreline.

Similar joint naval exercises were held in the state during July 29-30, 2009, October 5-6, 2010 and February 3-4 this year, said Coast Guard sources.

“Emphasis is being given to invigorate the coastal security along the state’s 480km shoreline. The state is armed with over Rs 1,000 crore central grants under the Coastal Security Scheme. With central assistance, 13 new marine police stations, in addition to the existing five are being planned to be set up in the state. At present five marine police stations are in operation at Balramgadgi, Jambu, Paradip, Argipalli and Dharma. These stations are equipped with 15 mechanised vessels including eight latest improvised interceptors to maintain coastal vigil and security,” said nodal police officer, coastal security, Shantanu Kumar Das.

sourced from the telegraph

Truck threat to river bridgesParadip,

Paradip, March 11: With stranded ore-laden trucks exerting “static load” on river bridges on the Paradip-Daitary expressway, the National Highways Authority of India has sounded a warning that the bridges may eventually collapse if swift remedial measures are not taken.

The NHAI authorities have shot off a letter to the revenue divisional commissioner (central division) and the collectors of Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts asking them to ensure that the loaded trucks are not stranded on the bridge because of traffic jams.

In fact, the NHAI has sent a series of letters to the state government in this connection in the past one year. The latest communication was sent on February 17. But no visible action has been taken to address the problem, said A.K. Ray, project director, NHAI (Orissa).

“Uninterrupted load exertion will lead to the bridge caving in. It’s an exceedingly precarious situation as there is no let up. Two river bridges on the Paradip-Daitary expressway, which connects Paradip port with mineral-rich hinterlands, are under threat,”

The four-lane highway is covered by two bridges over the river Mahanadi. Both the old and the new bridge are bearing heavy static load as loaded trucks on their way to Paradip port get stranded on the bridges, Ray said.

“Recently, we issued a statutory warning to the state government as the safety of the bridge is at stake. The RDC (central) besides the collectors of Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur were requested to ensure the safety of the bridge and people. But the scenario remains unchanged,” said Ray.

The river bridge is 930-metre long. Its structural design and load-intake capacity are not at all compatible to the static load.
(sourced from   telegraph)

INDIAN COAST GUARD SAVED SIX LIVES IN MID SEA OFF PURI

INDIAN COAST GUARD OFFICERS WITH RESCUED FISHERMEN

INDIAN COAST GUARD RESCUE WORK

FISHING VESSEL MAHADEV-III

 PARADIP: 19 DEC2010 -COAST GUARD SHIP (CGS) RAZIYA SULTANA RESCUED SIX FISHERMEN FROM A FISHING VESSEL UNDER FIRE. FISHING VESSEL MAHADEV-III WAS OPERATING SEVEN MILES EAST OF RAMACHANDI, PURI WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO BLAST OF LPG CYLINDER. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT 1230 HRS WHEN THE CREW WAS PREPARING THEIR LUNCH.

ON RECEIPT OF MESSAGE BY COAST GUARD DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS PARADIP IMMEDIATELY DIVERTED CGS RAZIYA SULTANA WHICH WAS ENGAGED IN OPS OLIVIA TO RENDER ASSISTANCE.

        THE SHIP ARRIVED IN THE AREA AT 3 PM AND RESCUED ALL THE SIX FISHERMEN FROM SEA. THE SHIP PROVIDED MEDICAL AID AND FOOD TO THE AFFECTED FISHERMEN. THERE AFTER THE SHIP EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE USING ITS FIREMAIN, HOWEVER THE BOAT SUNK AT 5:30 PM DUE TO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND INGRESS OF SEA WATER FROM DAMAGED HULL. ALL THE SIX FISHERMEN ARE BEING BROUGHT TO PARADIP BY CGS RAZIYA SULTANA.

Funds blow to civic body - Members up in arms against embezzlement

MANOJ KAR

The Paradip Municipality administrative office. Telegraph picture Paradip, Nov. 23: Close on the heels of mysterious disappearance of immovable asset like ‘pindis’ or shelter structures, more skeletons have begun tumbling out of Paradip Municipality’s cupboard. The alleged misuse of urban development grants has come to the forefront with the civic body council drawing the state government’s attention. Majority of members of the urban local body (ULB) are up in arms against the money laundering allegedly perpetrated by the dissolved municipality body during 2008-09. “Fiscal embezzlement is crystal clear. An estimated Rs 2.67 crore were by and large misappropriated by the former ULB. After the new municipality council took over earlier this year, we have unmasked the corruptive practice,” vice-chairman of Paradip Municipality Basanta Kumar Biswal said. “The municipal body, while adopting a unanimous resolution, has knocked at the doors of the state urban development department. The state urban development minister has been apprised of the rampant misappropriation of taxpayers’ money. The council has pressed forth the point that the government should institute a probe by vigilance wing of state police apart from the special audit squad,” Biswal said. During 2008-09 financial year, authorities violated the rules and guidelines with impunity and laundered public money without adhering to mandatory tender bidding process. For street lighting, high-max lights were purchased without the mandatory tender bidding process. The materials were substandard and the lighting system gradually turned dysfunctional. “The misuse of funds during the mosquito control drive is evident. Anti-malaria lubricant to wipe out mosquito larvae was purchased from a fictitious farm instead of Indian Oil Corporation. The port town, with its 18 urban wards, required 40 to 45 barrels of larvae-killing oil, but the authorities at that time procured 137 barrels,” said Biswal. Over Rs 2 crore for urban infrastructure repair were mostly misused. For various projects, works were executed on paper only. Eighteen Balwadi workers recruited by the then ULB under Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) were mired in favouritism. “Without seeking the advice of the neighbourhood committee, appointments were made. However, the ICDS authorities terminated the recruitments after the urban local body members had taken up the matter,” Biswal said. “The ULB members have raised these corruption-related issued in the municipality council meet and they have adopted an official resolution in this regard. The state urban development department is probing the charges,” said executive officer of municipality Surath Mallick. Paradip Port Trust takes care of most of the work in urban infrastructure development in Paradip civil township. However, the municipality body is duty-bound to look after the civic amenities and sanitation measures in the township. The municipality had taken care of the drinking water supply and road laying and repair in a cluster of slum settlements, said Mallick. Paradip, Nov 23 Close on the heels of mysterious disappearance of immovable asset like ‘pindis’ or shelter structures, more skeletons have begun tumbling out of Paradip municipality’s cupboard. The alleged misuse of urban development grants has come to the forefront with the civic body council drawing the state government’s attention. Majority of members of the urban local body are up in arms against the money laundering allegedly perpetrated by the dissolved municipality body during 2008-09 financial year. “Fiscal embezzlement is crystal clear. An estimated Rs 2.67 crore was by and large misappropriated by the former ULB. After the new municipality council took over earlier this year, we have unmasked the corruptive practice”, Basanta Kumar Biswal, vice chairman, Paradip municipality told The Telegraph. “The municipal body while adopting a unanimous resolution has knocked at the doors of state urban development department. The State urban development minister has been apprized of the rampant misappropriation of tax payers’ money. The council has pressed forth the point that the government should institute a probe by vigilance wing of state police besides by special audit squad”, Vice chairman Biswal maintained. The said financial irregularities were perpetrated during 2008-09 financial year. The then authorities violated the rules and guidelines with impunity and laundered public money without adhering to mandatory tender bidding process. For street lighting, high-max lights were purchased without the mandatory tender bidding process. The materials were substandard. As a result, lighting system gradually turned dysfunctional. “Whiff of fund misuse in mosquito control drive is quite noticeable. Anti-malaria lubricant to wipe out mosquito larvae was purchased unauthorizedly from a fictitious farm while the public sector Indian oil corporation used to supply this oil in past. The port town with its 18 urban wards is in requirement of 40-45 barrels of larvae-killing oil, but the then authorities procured 137 barrels of such oil during the said period”, charged vice chairman Biswal. Over Rs 2 crore spent for urban infrastructure repair was mostly misused. For various projects, works were executed on paper only. Eighteen Balwadi workers recruited by the then ULB under Integrated child development scheme (ICDS) was mired in favoritism. Without seeking the advice of ‘neighborhood committee, the appointments were made. However, the ICDS authorities terminated the recruitment after the urban local body members took up the matter, he told. “The urban local body members have raised these corruption-related issued in the municipality council meeting and they have adopted an official resolution in this regard. The charges that were leveled by the council members are now being probed by the state urban development department”, said Surath Mallick, executive officer of the municipality. The major works in urban infrastructure development in Paradip civil township is shouldered by Paradip port trust. However the municipality body is duty-bound to look after the civic amenities and sanitation measures in the fast-growing township. The drinking water supply and road laying and repair in a cluster of slum settlements, both authorized and unauthorized, are taken care of by the municipality body, added Mallick. sourced from the telegraph

Colourful wall art to beautify Paradip

MANOJ KAR

Paradip, Nov. 18: The port town is slowly getting a cultural makeover due to the efforts of the Paradip Port Trust (PPT). Authorities of PPT have embarked on a beautification drive. Many roadside walls wear an ethnic look with murals and patachitra paintings. The artworks and murals mainly highlight the rich maritime history, culture and heritage of this region. Telegraph pictures “The focal point of the exercise is to promote art. At the same time, it’s a concerted effort to give a facelift to defaced walls. Paintings would add to the intrinsic beauty of the fast-growing port town,” said Pravat Kumar Nanda, secretary, PPT. “Our emphasis is to showcase the rich maritime history, culture and heritage of this region through the artworks. We have begun refurbishing the walls with traditionalpatachitra paintings,” said Biplav Kumar, chairman, PPT. “The traditional form of paintings has its own lucid style. The dexterous portrayal of bold lines and bright colours captivate the eye. We’ve seen many school children getting attracted to the paintings. It would enhance creative attributes in their minds,” said Dipti Prakash Pattnaik, an art lover. In the first phase, the compound walls of the buildings owned by PPT are being given a new look with artistic touches. Its cost is being borne by the port trust. Besides this, the port trust has leased out buildings to various public sector undertaking units, nationalised banks, insurance sectors, state government offices and private enterprises. PPT has hired the services of traditional patachitra artists for the purpose of patronising the art form, which is struggling for survival. “We have been asked to depict the rich navigation history of Paradip through our paintings. We’ll also illustrate the tribal lifestyle and culture,” said Narendra Sutar, a patachitra artist. They are being paid Rs 40 per square foot of painting. sourced from the telegraph

Paradip Port adjudged for the Major Port of the Year award

 The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) has been adjudged for the Major Port of the Year award for the year 2009-10 at the Annual Indian Maritime Gateway Awards 2010 ceremony organised by Gateway Media Private Ltd.

PPT chairman Biplav Kumar received the trophy at a function on November 12 in Mumbai. The award was conferred on the port for its outstanding achievements.

The port carved golden letters in the Indian maritime history by handling 57.01 MT of cargo during the year 2009-10, registering 22.84 per cent growth year-on-year compared to 5.74 per cent average growth of all Major Ports during the period.

Red signal for trucks on NH-5A - Govt bans iron-ore carrying vehicles after traffic chaos, accidents

MANOJ KAR

Paradip, Nov. 16: The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders on the movement of ore-laden trucks on the National Highway 5A, between Daitari and Paradip port due to growing public resentment. A large number of ore-laden trucks from mining areas went to Paradip port for export through the 82km expressway.

Ore-laden trucks stuck in a jam on the national highway en route to the Paradeep port. Telegraph picture

A major section of the expressway runs through Kendrapara district and thousands of ore-laden trucks from the mineral rich Keonjhar and Jajpur have made life miserable for people in Kendrapara because of frequent jam on the national highway. The district administration has initiated the move under rule-115 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and also on the basis of regulations framed under the Orissa Motor Vehicle Rules.

“We have been forced to impose the ban as it is causing hardships for villagers living near the national highway in particular and the people of the district in general. It will remain effective till further orders. The ban will be withdrawn after the administration reviews the situation,” said Kendrapara collector Dhananjaya Das.

Keeping in view the enormous traffic load because of the iron-ore transportation to Paradip port, the government had constituted a high-power comprising with the collectors of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar and Jajpur districts. The district magistrate and collector of Kendrapara is the nodal officer to ensure smooth traffic on this stretch.

Earlier, ore-carrying trucks were barred from plying on the right lane of the NH. The right lane was reserved for normal vehicular traffic. But that was mostly violated as the traffic control mechanism jointly managed by the Paradip and Kendrapara police, miserably failed to restore order.

Apart from this, the ore-laden trucks ran totally unregulated. Thousands of trucks were on the move at any given time. This resulted in chaos as truckers indulged in overtaking and got into the restricted right lane of the NH. That led to normal traffic being stranded for hours together. There was also a spurt in road accident cases.

“We have now limited plying of such loaded trucks to 1,300 everyday. The principal mining hub of Joda-Barbil would have the right to release 1,000 loaded vehicles while 300 loaded trucks from the rest of mining belt in Jajpur district would be allowed to ply on the expressway,” said collector Dhananjaya Das.

The district administration has directed the deputy director of mines to regulate the number of trucks at the ore lifting points. “We have no complaints against such a ban as it has been done on larger public interest. Still, it should be for a limited period of time,” said Giridhari Sahu, vice-president, Paradip Truck Owners’ Association.

“In the Paradip-Kendrapara region, there are more than 4,000 truck-owners. In the event of such a ban stretching longer, the livelihood of thousands of families would be at stake. Most of them are unemployed youths who are on the transport trade by borrowing from banks and private financiers,” Sahu added.

The highway in question is referred to as the lifeline of Paradip port because it connects it with the mineral-rich hinterland in Keonjhar and Jajpur districts. With the export of iron-ore being at an all-time high at present, there has been enormous pressure on the highway.

“The residents of this district are being sandwiched while the Paradip Port Trust and the mine owners are minting money as the iron-ore export has reached its peak. The people of this region are getting killed on a daily basis following a spurt in road mishaps. The iron-ore boom and its resultant traffic congestion has badly affected daily life here,” said senior district congress committee president Debendra Sharma.

(sourced from the telegraph)

Jurong Port keen to set up terminals in Orissa

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to make headway into India’s shipping industry, the Singapore Government-controlled Jurong Port has evinced interest in setting up port terminals in Orissa and may soon approach the Paradip Port Trust with its proposal.

Singapore’s Jurong Port is keen to set up port terminals in Orissa and may approach the Paradip Port Trust, the State Government of Orissa and also the non-major ports for the same, a Shipping Ministry official told PTI.

The Shipping Minister, Mr G.K. Vasan, during his visit to Singapore last month, had said that India and Singapore have tremendous scope for partnership in this sector, including collaboration in areas like port development, cruise shipping, bunkering and ship building, ship repair and others.

India is looking at investing about $20.8 billion in 276 projects, which are part of the Government’s endeavour to expand 13 major ports in the country.

Jurong Port is Singapore’s only international multi-purpose port operator, the port’s general cargo terminal and bulk cargo terminal are the hubs for steel products, metals, mechanical appliances and machinery, cement, copper slag, sugar and project carg o, among others.

As many as 22 projects are ready for bids as the country is pressing on increasing the port capacity, mostly through public and private sector participation (PPP). Currently, 22 PPP projects are under bidding process and scheduled to be awarded in the cu rrent financial year involving an investment of almost Rs 16,000 crore.

India has completed 24 PPP projects involving an investment of almost Rs 650 crore while 19 PPP projects are under implementation, involving an investment of almost Rs 1,250 crore. — PTI

sourced from  the hindu businessline.

satellite image of paradip

Health team at port town

Health team at port town

MANOJ KAR

Species of female anopheles mosquito which acts as malaria vector. Telegraph picture Paradip, Oct. 6: Clogged drains have turned into ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes resulting in an outbreak of vector-borne diseases across the port town. Cases of malaria apart from diseases like dengue and chikungunya are on a steady rise here. A team of epidemiologists from the state health department found visible presence of the disease-carrying mosquitoes in the port town. “Stagnant water in open drains and sewerage points continues to be the major cause of health hazard. We collected larvae samples from stagnant waterbodies for laboratory test. There is wide presence of vector-borne mosquitoes like culex, aedes and anopheles in the urban areas. While the situation is bad in civil township, things are worse in slums and unplanned settlements on the outskirts of port town,” said chief of the medical team V.N.V Rao. “Many storm water drains are choked with polythene wastes. Moreover, worn-out tyres dumped by automobile shops are breeding mosquitoes,” he said. “On basis of findings of the larvae test reports, we are going to submit a report to the state health directorate,” Rao said. “The dual administration of the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) and the municipality has led to the disintegration of sanitation measures here. The port trust deals with larger storm water drains while cleaning up of the rest of drains lies with the civic body,” said former administrator of Paradip municipality Balabhadra Patri. “Civic authorities would visit the waterlogged areas for smooth discharge of stagnant water,” said vice-chairman of Paradip Municipality Basant Kumar Biswal. “Cases of malaria are on the rise here. On an average, about 300 inpatients are tested positive every month. Moreover, cases of vector-borne diseases are reported from Paradipgada where crews of goods loaded trucks throng,” said chief medical officer of the Biju Memorial Hospital Dilip Kumar Biswal. “Our hospital is not equipped to diagnose cases of dengue and chikungunya,” he said. It has been often found that migrant labourers apart from truck drivers are carriers of vector-borne diseases. “The migrant workers get infected in their workplaces and carry home the virus. Paradip, being a growing industrial hub, often encounters the mosquito-borne diseases due to the presence of itinerant population,” said Dipti Prakash Pattnaik, a local resident. (Sourced from Telegraph  )

Combine mock drill 'Haamla' along paradip coast

Coastal clean up day by coast guard

Jagatsighpur collector  cleaning  biju maidan
beach of paradip

1. 

Industrial units of Paradip under scan

Port units in line of fire

MANOJ KAR

Paradip, Sept 30: The Jagatsinghpur district administration has sought assistance of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) finding out the impact of dredging activities by a public sector oil refinery project. Four industrial units in and around Paradip came under the line of fire for alleged violation of environmental norms at the Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) review meeting held yesterday. Members of the committee from gram panchayats, which come under the project areas, expressed anger at the erosion in villages caused by dredging. They passed a proposal for assessment of the impact of dredging works. The RPDAC resolved to constitute a task force to oversee proper implementation of peripheral activities by the units — Essar steel project, IFFCO fertiliser plant, Deepak Fertilizer and Indian Oil Corporation’s oil refinery project. “Dredging by the oil refinery near Paradip has led to erosion in seaside villages. Moreover, the artificially created brackish water pond by the refinery project has resulted in increased salinity level of ground water and iron contents in drinking water from deep-dug tube wells,” Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai said. “It was decided to seek the services of the NIO to ascertain whether the Indian Oil Company Limited’s oil refinery was responsible for erosion,” said Jagatsinghpur collector Narayan Chandra Jena. Agriculture minister Damodar Rout, Jagatsinghpur MLA Bishnu Charan Das, Erasama-Balikuda MLA Prasanta Muduli, representatives of zilla parishad and members of panchayati raj institutions attended the meeting chaired by revenue divisional commissioner (central) Pradipta Mohapatra. (Sourced from Telegraph)

Temple owl in daytime flight - Forest officials observe rare bird’s behaviour

Sarala temple ,Paradip.

.

Paradip, Sept. 26: A rare white owl, which is a scheduled animal under the wildlife act, has become an enigma after entering a temple here.

The avian species has apparently given up its nocturnal flight after it made the Sarala temple, located at the heart of the town, its home.

Though a nocturnal animal, the owl has been seen flying out of the temple during the day, only to reappear after dusk.

“We sighted the owl on top of a pillar-like structure of the temple on Friday night. It remains motionless. We are keeping an eye on it. It’s strange that it leaves the temple when the sun rises and returns to its new home after sunset,” said Baghirathi Sahu, a senior trustee member of the temple.

A number of local residents thought the bird was sacred and that it brought luck and prosperity.

Devotees have also been offering puja to the bird when they come to pay their respects to Sarala deity, the trustee said.

Wildlife experts have also expressed interest in this rare bird.

“It is interesting to note that this rare bird has preferred to stay in the temple. Owls are predators and search food only at night. Their visibility is exceedingly poor during the day,” said Soubhagya Kumar Sahu, a wildlife official.

Forest officials have been informed about the owl and they are keeping an eye on the bird.

“I have been informed about this owl and am studying its behaviour. The Kujang forest officer has been asked to make a report on it,” said Manoj Kumar Mahapatra, divisional forest officer (DFO), Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division.

The DFO said the white owl was a protected species under schedule 3 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

“It’s heartening to note that the temple management has ensured that no harm is done to the creature. There are many tales related to owls in Hindu mythology and this is the reason why the bird is being worshipped,” Mahapatra said.

“We believe that the owl might have strayed into the temple to prey on mice,” the DFO said and added that the bird may have stayed on due to easy availability of food there.

“The surge of devotees might be a disturbing factor for it during the day. The owl must have built its nest near the temple and is retreating there to avoid daytime din and bustle,” Mahapatra added.

Sourced from Telegraph

Pro-plant voices greet panel - Job, compensation cry at Posco site

posco transit camp,Badagabpur.

Paradip, Aug. 28: Fifty-five families of Patnagada village are living in a transit camp at Badagabapur village in the Ersama block for the last 18 months.

On the second day of their trip to Posco land, the four-member committee of the union environment and forest ministry interacted with the families, who have allegedly been driven out of their villages by anti-plant activists.

Speaking to one committee member, which is headed by former union environment secretary Meena Gupta, the representative for the 55 ‘displaced’ families, Chandan Mohanty, said: “We neither have betel vines nor do we have any claim on forestland. But we want the plant to come up. We should be duly compensated for the loss of our livelihood and land. The state government must ensure that jobs are provided to us.”

After the N.C. Saxena committee’s report stated that the district administration violated procedures laid down under the Act, the ministry of environment and forests had stopped the land acquisition process and had set up the committee.

The committee is studying whether the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (recognition of forest rights) Act, 2006, has been implemented in the three gram panchayats that fall within the proposed Rs 51,000-crore plant. “We are taking minute note of the arguments, recorded documents and related evidence in support of forest rights claims,” said Urmila Pingley, a committee member.

“Our emphasis is on the documentary evidences with regard to the Forest Rights Act,” she said.

Pro-plant United Action Committee leader Nirvay Samantaray told the panel that they “do not have forest right claims”.

Contrary to the assertions of the anti-Posco activists and the N.C. Saxena committee, Samantaray said: “The palli sabhas had passed resolutions in accordance with the Forest Rights Act and had submitted them to the authorities”.

Bhaskar Swain, sarpanch of Nuagaon, claimed that the villagers had passed a resolution stating that they had been cultivating and were in possession of the forestland for over 75 years. But the resolution was not accepted by the administration including the panchayat executive officer.

The panchayat executive officer admitted that he had not turned up at the palli sabha meeting “due to pressure from higher ups”.

“We have interacted with the stakeholders including the people, PRI representatives, members of various outfits and prospective landlosers. We are going to submit our report to the Centre based on factual findings of our two-day visit to these villages. Our emphasis will be on the FRA process but we are also taking into account versions of some villagers regarding compensation and rehabilitation,” Gupta said.

(sourced from Telegraph)