The Orissa Government's plan to develop 14 minor ports has not fructified completely dues to the obstacles posed by the Union Ministries of Defence and Environment & Forests.

Except Dhamara and Gopalpur, most of the other minor port projects have not begun for the want of the necessary clearances from the two ministries.

The locations identified for the development of the minor ports are Inchuri, Bahabalpur and Bichitrapur in Balasore district; Jatadhari Muhan in Jagatsinghpur district, Barunei Muhan and south of Barunei Muhan in Kendrapara district; Chudamani in Bhadrak district, Palur and Bahuda Muhan in Ganjam district and Astaranga and Baliharchandi in Puri district.

The Union Ministry of Defence has expressed its reservations over the ports coming up between Dhamara and Kirtania while it objected to construction of a port at Chudamani by Essel Mining and Industries. Meanwhile, the ministry has also opposed ports at Bahabalpur, Inchuri and Bichitrapur.