Bhubaneswar: Odisha is poised to witness major port-led infrastructure development with the Centre sanctioning six projects worth Rs 350 crore under the Sagarmala Scheme in the state, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal shared this information while replying to a question by BJD MP Sasmit Patra in the House. The projects are aimed at improving port connectivity, strengthening logistics infrastructure and promoting economic activities in Odisha’s coastal regions, he said.
Apart from the six sanctioned projects, 52 other projects involving an estimated investment of around Rs 56,000 crore have been identified under the broader Sagarmala programme in the state, the Minister said.
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.
