THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
MARCH 15, 2026
“Odisha’s 575-kilometre coastline must evolve
from being a geographical boundary into a powerful catalyst for industrial
development, coastal resilience, and community prosperity,” said Usha Padhee,
Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department,
Government of Odisha, while outlining the State’s ambitious strategy for Blue
Economy-led growth at the Global Summit on Blue Economy 2026 in Bhubaneswar.
Presenting a
transformative roadmap for sustainable ocean-based development, Padhee
highlighted how Odisha is preparing to leverage its strategic maritime
advantage to emerge as a major hub for maritime innovation, industrial
expansion, and coastal prosperity. She emphasised that the State’s long
coastline offers immense opportunities for economic transformation if harnessed
through integrated planning, modern infrastructure, and environmentally
responsible policies.
A key pillar of the
roadmap is Port-Led Urbanisation, an integrated development model that links
world-class urban infrastructure with modern maritime logistics. According to
Padhee, the State plans to strengthen its industrial ecosystem by establishing
Blue Economy Industrial Hubs around major ports including Paradip Port, Dhamra
Port and Gopalpur Port.
“These hubs are envisioned as global centres
for investment and innovation in emerging sectors including marine
biotechnology, green shipping, and AI-enabled maritime management,” said
Padhee, noting that the initiative aims to position Odisha as a leading
destination for sustainable ocean-based industries and global maritime
investments.
She further
emphasised that the State is working to create a robust ecosystem that promotes
digital transformation, industrial efficiency, and ease of doing business,
thereby attracting global investors, entrepreneurs, and startups operating in
the Blue Economy space. The roadmap, she said, reflects Odisha’s commitment to
building future-ready infrastructure capable of driving long-term economic
competitiveness while maintaining ecological balance.
Underscoring the
importance of inclusive and environmentally responsible growth, Padhee
highlighted that the expansion of the Blue Economy will be closely aligned with
the protection of coastal ecosystems and the welfare of local communities.
Initiatives such as integrated coastal zone management, promotion of seaweed
farming, and eco-friendly marine tourism have been identified as critical
components of this balanced development strategy.
“These initiatives will not only strengthen coastal resilience but also generate sustainable livelihoods and enhance civic and urban infrastructure for communities along Odisha’s coastline,” she said.
Blending the State’s rich maritime heritage with cutting-edge innovation, Padhee reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to emerging as a national and global leader in sustainable ocean governance, maritime-driven economic transformation, and inclusive coastal development.
