The Government of India recently approved Rs 50 crores to develop an all-weather ROPAX in Odisha. The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 110 crores. The project aims to launch Roll-on or Roll-off Passenger Jetty connecting Kaninali in Bhadrak district and Talachua in Kendrapara district.

About the project

The project will reduce passenger travel time from six hours to one hour. The connecting points of the jetty are located in the northern and southern banks of river Dhamra.

The launch of the jetty service will increase business activities and commercial activities and also will uplift the economic status of the region.

Dhamra River

• The Dhamra river is a joint stream formed by the confluence of Baitarani and Brahmani rovers.
• It empties into the Bay of Bengal.
• It lies in the Bhadrak district of Odisha.
• The Dhamra port is located to the north of its mouth.
• The Gahirmatha sanctuary is located near the mouth of Dhamra river.
• Also, the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary lie on the Dhamra estuary.
• The Wheeler island is also located at the mouth of Dhamra. The Wheeler Island is a DRDO launch centre.

Gahirmatha Sanctuary

It is the most important nesting site of Olive Ridley sea turtles. The Gahirmatha beach separates Bhitarkanika Mangroves and the nesting site of the turtles. The Olive Ridley sea turtles have been put under the Vulnerable category in the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Also, they have been put under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Bhitarkanika

It is a mangrove wetland in Odisha. It is famous for estuarine crocodiles.