Deregulation in development project: A case of Dhamra port project in Odisha

Abstract

The significance of transport sector is taking precedence over other sectors especially after globalisation. The performance of minor port has outpaced the major port in recent past. With the pursuit of higher growth of international trade, government lays emphasis on the maritime mode of transport as it entails quite significant share in global trade in India. In the process, there is regulatory captures which sideline the existing rules and regulations and ignore the externalities stemming from the development project. There is flouting of laws and regulation in the development of Dhamra port, a minor port located in Bhadrak district of Odisha. This paper attempts to analyse the lacunae in the regulatory framework and advantage which paved the path for development of minor Dhamra port. It also discusses how those regulations have been manipulated to keep the interest of the private port proponents.