Chhatrapur: In a major push towards industrial expansion in state, about 8,000 acres of the historic salt pans in Ganjam district, including areas in Humma and the Surala-Sumandi plains near the Bahuda River, are set to be acquired by the Central government.
According to reports, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has finalised talks with the Odisha government to develop a new port near the Bahuda River with an investment of more than Rs 21,000 crore. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the infrastructure development under the Sagarmala project during the closing ceremony of this year’s Gopalpur Beach Festival.
Approximately 6,200 acres of salt pans have been identified around the Surala-Sumandi plains, and more than 1,400 acres of salt pan land in Humma are slated for takeover by the Central government. Sources said financial transactions for land acquisition have been completed, while the transfer of land records is in its final stages. The land near the Bahuda River will be used to develop an all-weather port, while the area around Humma is expected to host solar panel manufacturing units, according to sources.
The proposed industrial development is expected to generate employment opportunities for local residents. Last year, local voices called for reviving salt production in the Humma salt beds, demanding a steady source of income through salt farming. However, rising labour costs reduced profit margins, prompting producers and investors to scale back operations and eventually halt production.
Sujit Behera, a supervisor at one of the last remaining salt beds near Humma, said production during the dry season exceeded 9,000 bags–about 500 tonnes of rock salt–generating a turnover of more than Rs 15 lakh. Despite heavy rainfall last year, he said, about 300 tonnes were produced from 20 leased acres. “Although we will be losing the farmlands, we urge the government to provide permanent employment to the villagers and farmers who depended solely on salt farming,” Behera said.
Sources said the state government had been reluctant to accept the Central government’s proposal to use the land under a lease-only model. The delay centres on the transfer of land records, which may take longer than expected.
The state Transport, Commerce, Steel and Mines Minister, the Chhatrapur MLA and other district leaders are coordinating with the Centre to expedite the transfer of record of rights to the state government. The move gained momentum after the Prime Minister’s scheduled visit to Berhampur in September last year.