THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
PARADIP,
OCTOBER 15, 2026
Paradip Port
Authority (PPA) Chairman Susanta Kumar Purohit on Thursday called for
collective efforts by port officials, stevedores and public-private partnership
(PPP) operators to enhance operational efficiency, accelerate cargo handling
and strengthen the port’s competitiveness, as the facility targets handling
over 170 million tonnes of cargo in the current fiscal.
At a high-level
interactive meeting with members of the Paradip Port Stevedores Association in
the presence of heads of departments, Purohit stressed the need for coordinated
action to address operational bottlenecks, upgrade infrastructure and improve
productivity amid global economic uncertainties and growing competition among
ports.
Paradip Port handled
a record 156.45 million tonnes of cargo in the 2025-26 financial year. The port
has set a target of exceeding 170 million tonnes in FY 2026-27, underscoring its
ambition to consolidate its position as a major maritime gateway on India’s
eastern coast.
The meeting reviewed
key infrastructure-related concerns raised by the stevedores’ association, with
the port administration highlighting proposed improvements to internal and
external roads, cargo-stacking areas and paved surfaces to facilitate smoother
movement of goods and minimise waterlogging.
The proposed road and
surface improvement works have received approval from the Chief Mechanical
Engineer and Chief Engineer, while measures to strengthen the drainage network
have also been approved for implementation, according to the port authority.
The discussions also
covered improvements in sanitation, hygiene and welfare facilities for workers
and visitors across port premises and residential quarters, with an emphasis on
creating a safer and more efficient working environment.
Purohit underscored
the importance of modernisation and mechanisation in port operations while
safeguarding the legitimate business interests of traditional stevedores. He
called for closer coordination between the port authority, PPP operators and
the association to ensure the smooth integration of operations and expand
business opportunities across the cargo-handling ecosystem.
The meeting also
deliberated on operational challenges, including dredging requirements and
traffic management, which have a bearing on cargo movement and overall port
productivity.
Emphasising the need
for constructive engagement among stakeholders, the chairman called for
responsive coordination, harmonious industrial relations and measures to
support environmentally sustainable port operations, including initiatives in
green energy.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation between the port authority and stevedores to resolve operational issues, improve infrastructure, raise productivity and enhance services for port users.
The port authority said continued stakeholder engagement and focused infrastructure development would remain central to achieving its cargo-handling target and strengthening Paradip’s role in the country’s maritime and logistics network.
