THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
PARADIP, FEBRUARY 13, 2026
Paradip Port must spearhead Odisha’s shift to export-led, double-digit
growth through capacity expansion beyond 500 MTPA, shipbuilding, green hydrogen
logistics and integrated industrial clusters, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg
said on Friday, positioning the port at the centre of the State’s USD
500-billion economy by 2036 and USD 1.5-trillion by 2047 economic roadmap.
During a comprehensive review at the Paradip Port Authority (PPA), she
stressed that Odisha’s coastline offers a strategic advantage for port-led
industrialisation and global trade integration. She called for fast-tracking
the “Paradip Port 2.0” programme, including Western Dock deepening, new berths,
and a dedicated green hydrogen handling facility to support emerging energy
value chains.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed plans for a 150-MTPA all-weather port
at Bahuda in Ganjam and a 1.2-million-GT shipbuilding and ship-repair cluster
north of the Mahanadi in Kendrapara. These projects, proposed through a Special
Purpose Vehicle between the State Government and the Port Authority, are
expected to expand maritime capacity, catalyse ancillary industries and create
large-scale employment. A cruise terminal at Puri was identified for priority
execution to tap coastal tourism potential.
Highlighting the need for ecosystem-based development, she underscored
synchronised growth of Paradip with PCPIR, the Plastic Park, AMNS facilities
and the green hydrogen hub, backed by industrial townships, housing, tourism
infrastructure and modern urban amenities. Planned land use, robust law and
order and inclusive public infrastructure were flagged as critical to sustaining
investor confidence.
Paradip Port’s strong performance provides momentum for this next phase.
The port handled a record 150.41 MMT of cargo in FY 2024–25 to become India’s
top major port, while maintaining the lowest vessel and cargo charges and
posting a provisional net surplus of ₹1,860 crore. With a rated
capacity of 289 MTPA and high productivity levels, it continues to set national
efficiency benchmarks.
PPA Chairman P. L. Haranadh briefed the Chief Secretary on berth readiness,
vessel traffic management systems and marine operations during a launch
inspection, reaffirming operational preparedness for future scale-up.
Pointing to Odisha’s strong fiscal position and high capital expenditure,
the Chief Secretary called for diversification beyond mining into shipbuilding,
renewable energy, rare earth processing, aerospace, apparel, tourism and cruise
services to ensure resilient long-term growth.
The visit reinforced a coordinated push by the State administration and the Port Authority to transform Paradip into a globally competitive logistics and maritime hub — one that anchors eastern India’s trade flows and powers Odisha’s next wave of industrial expansion.
Jagatsinghpur Collector J. Sonal and SP Ankit Kumar Verma, along with PPA Deputy Chairman T. Venu Gopal and senior officials, were present during the deliberations.
