Odisha to set up Rs 46,000 crore port, shipyard projects to boost maritime economy

Odisha Government, in collaboration with Paradip Port Authority, has chalked up plans to establish a major port at Bahuda in Ganjam district with an investment of Rs 21,500 crore, and a shipbuilding and repair yard at the Mahanadi river mouth with an investment of Rs 24,700 crore, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said at a function in the port town on Wednesday.

Additionally, a world-class cruise terminal will be set up in Puri. These projects, he noted, will give a major boost to Odisha’s trade, tourism, and industrial sectors.

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The Paradip Port has emerged as the gateway to modern Odisha’s progress and the cornerstone of its economy, with the State’s lone major port emerging as one of India’s premier ports.

Majhi, addressing a gathering at the Boita Bandana Utsav in Paradip, dwelt upon Odisha’s enriched legacy in ancient maritime traditions, the state’s economic growth, and the development of port-based industries.

Highlighting the pivotal role of Paradip Port in Odisha’s development, the Chief Minister said the port’s cargo handling capacity has grown from 71 million tonnes in 2015 to 150 million tonnes in 2025.

Chief Minister further stated that Boita Bandana and Bali Jatra are not just festivals, but reflections of Odisha’s rich maritime history and the indomitable spirit of the Sadhabas—the brave seafarers of ancient Kalinga.

Under the Maritime India Vision 2030, the port aims to handle 300 million tonnes annually, while under Viksit Bharat 2047, its capacity will be enhanced to 500 million tonnes, transforming it into a Mega Port, he said.

In alignment with the Government of India’s Sagarmala, Gati Shakti, and National Logistics Policy, Odisha is developing a robust port-led economy. The state government is working to establish Coastal Economic Zones across coastal districts, CM Majhi noted.

Minister of Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education, Sampad Chandra Swain, in his address, said that the state government is prioritizing industries, infrastructure, employment generation, and skill development around port-based economic growth.

Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai said that in the coming years, Paradip will become the center of new industrial, educational, and transport-based projects, transforming the economic landscape of Jagatsinghpur and the entire state.