Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government’s Housing & Urban Development Department Additional Chief Secretary and IDCO Chairperson, Usha Padhee, unveiled an ambitious and forward-looking roadmap to accelerate Odisha’s Blue Economy while addressing the Global Summit on Blue Economy 2026 in Bhubaneswar. The roadmap outlines a transformative strategy to position Odisha as a leading hub for sustainable ocean-based growth, maritime innovation, and coastal prosperity.
Highlighting the State’s strategic maritime advantage, Padhee said Odisha is uniquely positioned to harness the immense potential of its 575-kilometre coastline, transforming it into a dynamic engine of economic growth while safeguarding ecological balance. She emphasised that Odisha’s coastline must evolve from being a mere geographical boundary into a powerful catalyst for industrial development, coastal resilience, and community prosperity.
Central to this vision, she said, is the concept of Port-Led Urbanisation—an integrated development approach that combines world-class urban infrastructure with modern maritime logistics. Elaborating on this strategy, Padhee noted that Odisha plans to leverage its strong industrial base by developing Blue Economy Industrial Hubs near key ports such as Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur. “These hubs are envisioned as global centres for investment and innovation in emerging sectors, including marine biotechnology, green shipping, and AI-enabled maritime management,” she said.
She further emphasised that the State is working to build a robust ecosystem that promotes digital transformation, industrial efficiency, and ease of doing business, making Odisha an attractive destination for global investors, entrepreneurs, and startups engaged in sustainable ocean-based enterprises. The roadmap, she noted, reflects Odisha’s commitment to creating future-ready infrastructure that drives economic competitiveness while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Underscoring the importance of inclusive growth, Padhee stressed that the expansion of the Blue Economy must go hand in hand with the protection of coastal ecosystems and the welfare of local communities. She highlighted the State’s focus on integrated coastal zone management, promotion of seaweed farming, and eco-friendly marine tourism as key pillars of this balanced development strategy. “These initiatives will not only strengthen coastal resilience but also generate sustainable livelihoods and enhance civic and urban infrastructure for communities along Odisha’s coastline,” she said.
Blending Odisha’s rich maritime heritage with cutting-edge innovation, Padhee reaffirmed the State’s commitment to emerging as a national and global leader in sustainable ocean governance, maritime-driven economic transformation, and inclusive development.
