Odisha is set to strengthen its position as a key maritime and logistics hub with 58 port-led infrastructure projects worth over ₹56,350 crore under the Centre’s Sagarmala Programme, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Responding to a question from BJD MP Sasmit Patra, the minister said six projects worth ₹350 crore have been sanctioned under the Sagarmala scheme, while 52 additional projects valued at nearly ₹56,000 crore have been identified and are at various stages of implementation by agencies including Paradip Port Authority, the Odisha government, Indian Railways, NHAI and CONCOR.
The projects are expected to add around 83 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of cargo-handling capacity, significantly enhancing Odisha’s maritime infrastructure and multimodal logistics network.
Among the Sagarmala-funded initiatives are Ro-Pax jetties connecting Kaninali (Bhadrak)–Talchua (Kendrapada) and Balugaon (Khurda)–Krishnaprasad Gada (Puri), the modernisation of Paradip Fishing Harbour, construction of a new fishing harbour at Chandipur in Balasore, and two DDU-GKY skill development projects. Five of the six sanctioned projects are currently under implementation and are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The broader portfolio includes major investments in rail, road, port and logistics infrastructure across Paradip, Dhamra, Gopalpur, Astaranga and Subarnarekha ports. Completed projects include the Paradip Multi-Modal Logistics Park, Haridaspur–Paradip rail connectivity, Angul–Sukinda rail line, and Duburi–Panikoili road connectivity.
Key projects currently under execution include the ₹7,600 crore Smart Industrial Port City at Paradip, ₹3,005 crore optimisation and deepening of Paradip’s inner harbour, the ₹4,695 crore Bhadrak–Vizianagaram third railway line, and the ₹3,747 crore Duburi–Chandikhole–Paradip highway.
Sonowal also informed the House that the proposed National Waterway-5, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, is currently awaiting approval. The inland waterway will connect the mineral-rich regions of Talcher and Angul with industrial centres such as Kalinganagar and ports at Paradip and Dhamra, with completion targeted within five years of approval.
According to the minister, the six Sagarmala-funded projects are expected to generate around 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, while the wider portfolio of identified projects could create more than 25,000 employment opportunities. The Centre is also implementing DDU-GKY-linked skill development programmes to equip coastal communities with skills for employment in the maritime and logistics sectors.
