Odisha’s Paradip To Be Gateway Of Eastern India Growth: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

New Delhi: Union Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday said Odisha’s coastline is going to be the hub of maritime trade.

Addressing the ‘Investment Opportunities in Odisha’ session in the Maritime India Summit 2021, he assured all potential investors that the Central and State governments are working in tandem to make Odisha an attractive investment destination. With natural harbours, rich natural resources, long coastline and skill-able and hardworking manpower, Odisha will be the part of prime minister Narendra Modi’s call of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and $5 trillion economy.

Stating that the global network of trade and commerce will be maritime in 21st century, he said Paradip will be the gateway of growth of eastern India. Kalinganagar is being developed as a steel hub, while initiatives in the petroleum and steel sectors will provide impetus to the maritime economy in Odisha.

Pradhan said Odisha serves as a link between eastern and western India through the railway network of the South Eastern Railways and the East Coast Railways. There is further potential for integrating railway freight corridors with key ports in Odisha and setting up of maintenance and engineering projects in the State.

Regarding petroleum sector investments, Pradhan said oil and gas CPSEs have spearheaded a number of infrastructure investments in Odisha including in oil refining, gas pipeline infrastructure, marketing infrastructure and city gas distribution networks.