By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 18, 2016 : Odisha has finally been included in East Cost Economic Corridor (ECEC) proposed to be implemented under the joint aegis of the Govt of India, Govt of Odisha and Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Corridor will link Odisha with Global Industrial Corridor and Global value chain.

This was discussed in a high level meeting between senior State officials and ADB team held under the chairmanship of chief secretary Aditya Parsad Padhi in secretariat conference hall on Friday. The India Resident Mission of ADB made the presentation. The proposal for inclusion of Odisha in the ECEC and the action plan to carry forward the project was discussed in the meeting.

Padhi advised to make perspective plan of the government compatible with Odisha Vision 2036 Document. The state government has already initiated Vision-2036 keeping in view completion of the 100th year of State formation.

Principal Secretary Industry and Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation chairman and managing director, will be the nodal officers for the project and Industry department would be the nodal department.

The proposed project would be India’s First coastal corridor, according to the presentation made by the ADB team. It will cover approximately 1700 kilometers of coastal line and connect 6 major ports and 3 of India’s deepest draught ports. The corridor will also connect mineral rich hinterland having 86% of coal reserves, 82% of iron reserves 70% of bauxite reserves and 40% of natural gas reserves.

Officials said, the proposed project when completed would boost the industrial activities in Odisha more particularly in auto, electronics, petro chemicals, petroleum, iron, steel, food processing, textiles, naval shipyards, defence and space exploration. The project would have two basic dimensions viz. investments for infrastructure development and investments for node centric development.

As way forward, it was decided in the meeting that the technical teams of ADB would make assessment of the extent of land availability, clearance from coastal areas, flood line, forest area, other restricted areas, connectivity with highways, rail net work, proximity to ports, air ports, availability of utilities like power, water proximity to existing industrial agglomerations, proximity to urban centers, availability of housing & service eco-system in urban centers, availability of skilled manpower supply, presence of skill development training and incubation facilities etc. Target has been set to prepare Conceptual Development Plan in 1st Stage by March, 2017.