Paradip Port set to emerge as Mega Port with 500-million-tonne capacity, says CM Majhi

Odisha charts a bold maritime roadmap with new port, shipyard, and cruise terminal projects worth over ₹45,000 crore

 THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

PARADIP, NOVEMBER 5, 2025

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday announced an ambitious expansion plan for Paradip Port, declaring that the state’s maritime gateway will be transformed into a Mega Port with a cargo handling capacity of 500 million tonnes under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Speaking at the Boita Bandana Utsav 2025 held at Paradip, the Chief Minister underscored Odisha’s deep maritime legacy while laying out a modern blueprint for its port-led industrial growth. “Boita Bandana and Bali Jatra are not just celebrations, but reflections of our glorious seafaring past and the indomitable spirit of the Sadhabas — the maritime traders of ancient Kalinga,” Majhi said. “This spirit continues to inspire Odisha’s economic and industrial journey today.”

Highlighting Paradip’s pivotal role in the state’s development story, the Chief Minister said that the port has witnessed remarkable growth over the past decade — increasing its cargo handling capacity from 71 million tonnes in 2015 to 150 million tonnes in 2025. “Paradip Port has become the gateway to Odisha’s economic transformation and is the cornerstone of our maritime economy,” he noted.

Majhi revealed that under the Maritime India Vision 2030, Paradip Port aims to handle 300 million tonnes annually, and by 2047, this figure will reach 500 million tonnes, making it one of Asia’s largest ports. “Paradip will not only anchor Odisha’s industrial expansion but will also power India’s maritime leadership in the coming decades,” he asserted.

In a major infrastructure push, the Chief Minister announced several strategic projects to further boost Odisha’s coastal economy. These include the establishment of a major port at Bahuda in Ganjam district with an investment of ₹21,500 crore, a shipbuilding and repair yard at the Mahanadi river mouth worth ₹24,700 crore, and a world-class cruise terminal in Puri to promote tourism and international connectivity. “These projects will transform Odisha’s coastline into an integrated maritime and industrial corridor,” Majhi added.

The Chief Minister also emphasized that Odisha’s development vision aligns with national initiatives like Sagarmala, Gati Shakti, and the National Logistics Policy. “We are building a robust port-led economy with Coastal Economic Zones that will create employment, boost exports, and strengthen India’s logistics competitiveness,” he said. “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has entered a new era of maritime trade. The *Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047* envisions world-class ports, and Odisha will be at the forefront of that transformation.”

Odisha’s Minister for Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education, Sampad Chandra Swain, lauded Paradip’s growth story, calling it a symbol of Odisha’s limitless potential. “Our focus is on port-based industries, infrastructure, and skill development to create a thriving ecosystem of jobs and investments. Paradip is not just a port anymore — it’s the economic engine of a new, industrialized Odisha,” he said.

Jagatsinghpur MP Dr. Bibhu Prasad Tarai echoed the Chief Minister’s vision, predicting that Paradip would soon emerge as a hub for industrial, educational, and transport-based projects. “Paradip’s success will redefine the economic future of Jagatsinghpur and the entire state,” he said, describing it as “Odisha’s pride and a beacon of its aspirations.”

Paradip Port Authority Chairman P. L. Haranadh highlighted the port’s rapid progress, noting that it has surpassed milestones that took decades to achieve in the past. “In the last four years, Paradip Port has consistently broken its own records through capacity expansion, technological advancement, and the commitment of ‘Team Paradip’,” he said. “That dedication has made Paradip India’s number one port today.”

The event was attended by senior dignitaries, including Jagatsinghpur Collector J. Sonal, Central Range DIG Dr. Satyajit Naik, and Paradip Port Authority Deputy Chairman Alekh Charan Sahu, who delivered the vote of thanks.

Following the ceremony, Chief Minister Majhi and other distinguished guests embarked on a boat tour aboard TARINI, symbolically retracing the maritime legacy of ancient Kalinga while envisioning Odisha’s voyage into a bold new maritime future.