Odisha government urged Navayuga Engineering Company (NEC) to expedite work on the proposed all-weather port project at Astaranga in Puri district.
The company has planned to develop the port at an estimated cost of Rs 7,417 crore, in the first phase, and handle 17.7 million tonne cargo.
The state government also directed the concerned officers to accelerate the land acquisition process, both for the port site and the economic (rail) corridor.
There is delay in the land acquisition process because of stiff opposition from locals, lack of environmental clearance and non-compliance with land acquisition norms.
Meanwhile, NEC was asked by the state government to deposit Rs 35 crore by May 30 to start land acquisition process for the project. The government inked the deal with Navayuga in 2008.
NEC, a private firm, has already applied for environmental clearance and is expecting a positive response, reports suggest.
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