Paradip: Rapid expansion of Paradip Port, one of the premier maritime gateways on the east coast of the country, is all set to wipe out Yugoslavia Colony, the oldest human settlement of the region.
With the complete demolition of about 100 residential quarters, the colony, located near the gate no-5 of the port, would disappear from the map of the Port Town, it was learnt.
There is an interesting tale behind the name of the colony.
The state government had been assigned the construction of the port by the Centre. It roped in a Yugoslavia-based company and a group of engineers to construct the berths. More than 100 houses with asbestos roofs were constructed for their accommodation. The colony was named after the nationals of Yugoslavia. Many employees of the port were allotted the houses after the departure of the foreign nationals.
The colony remained one of the most happening places of the town from 1970 to 1999 with a floating population of more 40,000. A large market had also grown in the surrounds to meet the needs of the people. While the fishing harbour was shifted from Yugoslavia Colony to Nehru Bangala area in 1998 reducing the activities to a major extent, the Super Cyclone of 1999 ravaged the colony and the market beyond repair.
The port authorities resettled the cyclone-hit residents at Balijhara and declared the houses of the 1960s unsafe.
However, the authorities allowed some daily labour roll (DLR) workers to stay in the colony.
At present, the construction of oil and multipurpose berths has been completed.
The port authorities now want to store dry cargo for which the colony is being vacated. While the workers have been shifted to other places, work is in full swing to pull down the houses of the old colony. In a couple of days’ time the Yugoslavia Colony would cease to exist and remain in the memory of elderly people, said some residents.
Earlier, some other old settlements like Indira Park slum, Sanapadia, Patrika Mahal and CISF Complex had disappeared from the map of the town due to the port’s expansion projects, they added.