Odisha Coast Best Suited For Water-Based Transport In Country: Experts

Bhubaneswar: Thanks to its 480-km-long coastline, Odisha has the potential to develop the largest water-based cargo transportation system in the country, according to experts at an international conference in the city.

The two-day Coastal and Inland Water System conference also deliberated on other coastal issues including climate, shipping, inland watercraft and use of oceans to reduce stress on land.

Chilika Development Authority (CDA), IIT, Bhubaneswar and Forum for River and Ocean Scientists and Technologists (FROST) has organised the conference, which will conclude on Tuesday.

Prof RP Gokam, ex-professor of IIT Kharagpur, inaugurated the conference. MA Atmanand, Director of National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai was also present at the event.

CDA Chief Executive Susanta Nanda said six technical sessions on climate issues, coastal processes, inland and coastal vessels, inland water transport, coastal shipping and coastal surveillance will be held during the conference.

The event is an attempt to bring together scientists, technologists, administrators and other stakeholders in coastal and inland water sector to discuss various issues and solutions required in their field.

Five experts including three from abroad and 50 scientists as well as technologists are taking part in the conference.