Odisha charts ₹50,000 crore maritime expansion beyond port upgrades

Odisha's maritime sector is poised for substantial growth through a series of interconnected infrastructure projects totalling over ₹50,000 crore in planned investments. The initiatives extend well beyond conventional port expansion, reflecting the state government's ambition to develop a comprehensive maritime ecosystem across its coastline.

The Paradip Port Authority is advancing capacity expansion plans as the centrepiece of the strategy. Simultaneously, the state is pursuing the development of a new deepwater port facility at Bahuda, which would complement existing operations and provide additional berthing infrastructure for cargo handling. These port-level enhancements are designed to accommodate growing containerised and break-bulk traffic.

Complementing the port infrastructure push is the proposed establishment of a shipbuilding cluster in Kendrapara district. The cluster is intended to support vessel construction and repair activities, attracting investment from domestic and international maritime industries and generating employment across skilled trades.

Together, the three anchor projects form part of a broader strategy to leverage Odisha's 480-kilometre coastline and proximity to regional shipping lanes. Officials view the integrated approach as essential for capturing growing maritime trade volumes and positioning the state competitively within India's maritime sector expansion.