Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to receive a major maritime infrastructure boost with six projects worth Rs 350 crore sanctioned under the Centre’s Sagarmala Scheme, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
In a written reply to a question by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Dr Sasmit Patra, Sonowal said the projects are aimed at improving port connectivity, strengthening logistics infrastructure and promoting economic activities in Odisha’s coastal regions.
The Union minister said apart from the six sanctioned projects, 52 additional projects involving an estimated investment of around Rs 56,000 crore have been identified under the broader Sagarmala programme in Odisha.
Though these projects are not being funded directly under the Sagarmala scheme, they are being implemented by various agencies, including the Paradip Port Authority, Odisha government departments, Indian Railways, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Container Corporation of India and the Ministry of Rural Development.
The planned projects are expected to add around 83 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of port handling capacity, further strengthening Odisha’s position as an emerging maritime and logistics hub on the eastern coast.
The Centre’s maritime development push is expected to accelerate infrastructure growth along Odisha’s coastline, with a focus on improving port-led development, cargo movement and industrial connectivity.
The expansion plan is also expected to benefit key industrial regions by creating stronger links between mineral-producing areas, manufacturing zones and major ports.
The development of National Waterway-5 (NW-5) has also gained momentum following its announcement in the Union Budget 2026-27.
The waterway project aims to connect mineral-rich areas of Talcher and Anugola with industrial hubs such as Kalinga Nagar and major ports, including Paradip and Dhamra.
The project is currently under the approval process and is expected to be completed within five years after receiving necessary clearances.
The Centre has also launched the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme (CCPS) to encourage the movement of freight through coastal shipping and inland waterways.
The initiative aims to increase the combined share of inland waterways and coastal shipping from the current 6% to 12% by 2047, reducing dependence on road and rail transport and improving logistics efficiency.
The maritime infrastructure projects are expected to generate thousands of employment opportunities in Odisha.
The six Sagarmala projects worth Rs 350 crore are likely to create around 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, while the larger projects identified under the Sagarmala programme are expected to generate more than 25,000 employment opportunities.
The ministry said steps are being taken to involve local communities through skill development programmes, including training coastal youth under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) for employment opportunities in the maritime sector.
With investments in ports, waterways and logistics infrastructure, Odisha is expected to strengthen its role as a key maritime gateway on India’s eastern coast, boosting trade, industrial growth and economic activities in coastal districts.
