THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
PURI, NOVEMBER 3, 2026
In a major boost to Odisha's maritime infrastructure and tourism
potential, the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) will join hands with the state
government to develop the proposed Puri International Cruise Terminal at an
estimated investment of Rs 1,500 crore, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and
Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday. The ambitious project is expected
to strengthen India's cruise tourism ecosystem, enhance coastal connectivity
and position Odisha as a prominent destination on the country's emerging
international cruise tourism map.
Announcing the initiative at a meeting of the Consultative Committee of
the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in Puri, Sonowal said the Centre
was pursuing an ambitious roadmap to increase the share of coastal and inland
waterway shipping in India's overall freight movement from the current 6 per
cent to 12 per cent by 2047, while attracting one million sea cruise passengers
by 2029.
The meeting, chaired by Sonowal, focused on strengthening coastal and
cruise shipping, with Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Shantanu Thakur and eight Members of Parliament in attendance. The ministry's
secretary outlined various initiatives and policy measures aimed at unlocking
the potential of India's extensive coastline and inland waterways.
"In the last 12 years under PM Narendra Modi, India's maritime
sector has undergone massive transformations," Sonowal said.
Highlighting India's growing maritime capabilities, the minister said the
country, with a coastline of more than 11,000 km, has a significant natural
advantage in promoting cost-effective and environmentally sustainable freight
transportation. Coastal cargo handled at Indian ports has increased from 74
million metric tonnes to 177 million metric tonnes over the past 12 years,
registering a growth of around 140 per cent, he said.
"Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dynamic leadership, our
coastline and our rivers are being turned into engines of growth. The Coastal
Cargo Promotion Scheme and the Cruise Bharat Mission will move more cargo by
sea and bring more visitors to our shores, creating jobs and protecting the
environment," Sonowal said.
The Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme, announced in the Union Budget
2026-27, seeks to incentivise cargo owners, coastal vessel operators and
multimodal transport operators to shift more freight to waterways and promote
seamless movement of goods through an integrated network of sea, rail and road
transportation.
Emphasising the rapid expansion of India's cruise tourism sector, Sonowal
said the country recorded 4,62,661 ocean cruise passengers and 212 vessel calls
during 2025-26. This represents a 5.5-fold increase in passenger traffic and a
2.1-fold rise in vessel calls compared with 2013-14.
Launched in September 2024, the Cruise Bharat Mission aims to attract one
million sea cruise passengers and generate 4 lakh employment opportunities by
March 2029.
The minister also highlighted the progress in river cruise tourism,
stating that 20 river cruise circuits across 16 National Waterways are already
operational, while another 51 circuits have been identified for phased
development. As many as 143 river cruise terminals and landing points are
currently operational across the country.
Together, the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme and Cruise Bharat Mission
are expected to generate more than 5.6 lakh jobs and help reduce carbon dioxide
emissions by 16 million metric tonnes, he said.
Underscoring Odisha's strategic importance in the country's maritime
growth plans, Sonowal also highlighted the proposed development of National
Waterway-5 in the state, involving an estimated investment of over Rs 13,000
crore. The project is envisaged to connect key industrial and mining centres,
including Talcher and Kalinganagar, with ports along the eastern coast,
strengthening freight connectivity and facilitating industrial growth.
The MPs present at the meeting appreciated the Centre's initiatives to
modernise India's maritime sector and offered suggestions on strengthening
maritime infrastructure across different regions of the country.
Expressing gratitude to the parliamentarians for their inputs, Sonowal said their suggestions would contribute to shaping the country's maritime development agenda.
"Led by PM Modi's vision, we are steadily advancing towards a competitive, sustainable and thriving maritime ecosystem for a Viksit Bharat," he said.
