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Environmentalists, fishermen and a section of local communities have strongly opposed the construction of a proposed 4-kilometre bridge over Odisha’s Chilika lake, connecting Satapada town to Janhikuda village. They have warned that the project threatens the lake’s delicate ecosystem, including its rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of over 100,000 people dependent on its resources.
The proposed bridge connecting Satapada to Janhikuda is seen by many as a solution to longstanding challenges faced by local residents, who depend on water vessels for daily commute. News outlets have reported frequent incidents of passengers getting stranded in floating bridge vessels, such as the stranding of nearly 100 passengers in February 2023 and 25 passengers in January 2024.
The incidents highlighted the unreliability of water transport, leading to demands for a bridge by a section of locals. However, critics have pointed out that the proximity of the proposed bridge with the lake brings up major environmental concerns.
Chilika lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, is a Ramsar site spanning 64 km in length and 13.5 km in width. Located near Satapada, the lake is connected to the Bay of Bengal via a shallow and narrow channel.
It is home to a diverse avian population, with the 2024 bird census recording 1,137,759 birds of 187 species, including 1,098,813 migratory birds. It is also the habitat of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, frequently sighted in the Satapada region.
Critics, including Biswajit Mohanty, secretary of the conservation group Wildlife Society of Odisha, argued that increased traffic and human activity due to the bridge would disrupt the peace and movement of both dolphins and birds.
“The proposed bridge, located in the core area of Chilika’s biodiversity, will restrict the freedom of dolphins and migratory birds. It also poses a threat by providing poachers with easy access to the lake,” said Mohanty, who emphasised the need for a thorough environmental impact assessment (EIA) before approval.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced the project during an election rally in May 2024, promising that it would not harm Chilika’s ecology. Local representatives, including Brahmagiri Member of Legislative Assembly Upasna Mohapatra and Member of Parliament for Puri Sambit Patra, have supported the project, citing the benefits of improved connectivity for the region.
“The bridge will link 120 villages across 21 gram panchayats and reduce dependence on mechanised boats, which are often unsafe,” said Patra, adding that he had discussed the project with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
However, opponents argue that the bridge would destroy the tranquillity of Chilika lake and further marginalise its dependent communities. Fisherman Ranjan Behera from Krushnaprasad village said, “The project threatens our livelihoods and the lake’s ecology.” Another resident, Mahadev Behera from Satapada, criticised the government for prioritising the bridge over essential civic amenities like schools, hospitals and clean water in the region.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has yet to receive environmental clearance for the project. “Work will commence only after we obtain approval from the forest department,” said Birendra Singh, Regional Officer of NHAI in Bhubaneswar.
While proponents of the bridge emphasise its potential to boost connectivity between Puri and Ganjam districts, many wildlife experts remain resolute in their opposition, stressing that no construction should compromise Chilika’s unique ecological and cultural heritage.