THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
PARADIP, JANUARY 31, 2026
Paradip Port
Authority has unveiled an ambitious expansion blueprint that includes a
satellite port, a large shipbuilding cluster and a cruise terminal, positioning
Odisha at the heart of India’s next maritime growth wave.
In a series
of high-level engagements, Paradip Port Authority (PPA) Chairman P. L. Haranadh
outlined a transformative roadmap for Odisha’s maritime sector while
reaffirming the port’s standing as India’s premier Major Port and a key driver
of the national vision of Viksit Bharat. The discussions, held with the
Governor of Odisha and the Chief Secretary, focused on aligning port-led
infrastructure development with the state’s broader economic and industrial
priorities.
During his
meeting with Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, the PPA Chairman detailed
ongoing and upcoming development initiatives at Paradip Port, underscoring the
authority’s commitment to modernising maritime infrastructure, improving
logistics efficiency and delivering sustainable socio-economic benefits to the
region. The engagement highlighted how Paradip Port’s expansion strategy is
being designed to support Odisha’s long-term growth ambitions while
strengthening India’s coastal and trade infrastructure.
Subsequently,
in discussions with Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Haranadh presented plans to scale
Paradip Port’s overall cargo handling capacity to 300 Million Metric Tonnes. The
roadmap features a set of large, strategic projects that are expected to
significantly enhance Odisha’s maritime ecosystem and further consolidate
Paradip’s leadership among India’s Major Ports.
The
foundation of the expansion is the proposed Bahuda Satellite Port, envisaged
with an investment of ₹21,500
crore. The project aims to substantially boost cargo handling capacity while
easing congestion at the main port, enabling smoother and faster movement of goods. Another flagship initiative is the proposed Shipbuilding
Cluster at Kendrapara, involving an investment of ₹24,700 crore. Designed to
position Odisha as a global hub for shipbuilding and ship repair, the cluster
is expected to create large-scale employment and
catalyse the growth of ancillary industries across the region.
The roadmap
also places strong emphasis on maritime tourism with the planned Puri Cruise
Terminal, estimated to cost ₹500 crore and located near the upcoming Shree
Jagannath International Airport. Envisioned as a blend of
maritime heritage and modern tourism infrastructure, the terminal is expected
to connect Puri with destinations such as Visakhapatnam, Digha and the Andaman
Islands, adding a new dimension to Odisha’s coastal tourism circuit.
Alongside
these projects, PPA is focusing on capacity scaling through digitised
logistics, infrastructure debottlenecking and enhanced operational efficiencies
to retain Paradip Port’s position as the number one Major Port in the country.
Speaking on
the occasion, P. L. Haranadh said, “These initiatives represent a new chapter
in Odisha’s maritime legacy. By investing in satellite ports, shipbuilding
clusters and cruise infrastructure, we are not merely expanding capacity but
creating a robust maritime ecosystem that will drive economic growth and
generate opportunities for future generations.”