Government resolves land dispute with Paradip Port

A 50-year-old land dispute between Odisha government and Paradip Port Trust has been resolved with the government agreeing to alienate nearly 6285.58 acres in favour of the port and retain only 597 acres in four revenue villages within the port limits. Though the state government had handed over the port to the central government in 1965, the formal land transfer could not be effected on technical grounds. Over the years, different political circles have often alleged that the port had acquired more than the land that was initially provided by the government. Another accusation was that the port had made a lot of money by renting or leasing out land to hoteliers and other companies and the state government had not benefited from such lease or rent. All such disputes and allegations are now settled. The Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati has assured to extend all cooperation required for development of the port.