Bhubaneswar: In a major push to boost coastal and maritime tourism, Odisha is set to introduce cruise services from Puri to Paradip, Digha, Visakhapatnam and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The state government, in collaboration with the Paradip Port Authority (PPA), will establish a dedicated cruise terminal at Puri to facilitate these services.
The state government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PPA for the development of the cruise terminal during the upcoming India Maritime Week (IMW) to be held in Mumbai from October 27 to 31, sources said.
PPA Chairman P.L. Haranadh called on Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Thursday and extended an invitation to him to attend the IMW 2025 event.
According to sources, the cruise terminal project will be developed in phases, with the first phase focusing on Puri and the second phase likely to extend to Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district. The proposed terminal will be located close to the upcoming international airport at Puri, and both projects are expected to be developed as part of an integrated tourism and infrastructure complex.
The Tourism Department, the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL), and the PPA will jointly execute the project. Preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) for the cruise terminal is currently underway.
Under the proposed plan, the state government and the PPA will develop the cruise infrastructure, while private operators will run cruise services on routes connecting Puri with Paradip, Digha in West Bengal, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Officials believe the initiative will open new avenues for tourism and hospitality growth along Odisha’s coastline.
It may be recalled that the state government has already signed MoUs with the PPA for several key maritime projects, including the proposed Bahuda port in Ganjam and a shipbuilding centre in Kendrapara, signalling Odisha’s growing focus on strengthening its maritime economy.
