Sagarmala Project To Help Odisha Become India’s Gateway To South East Asia: Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said the Sagarmala project can help Odisha become India’s gateway to South East Asian countries.

Chairing the first meeting the of State Sagarmala Committee, the Chief Minister said in addition to its strategic advantage of long coastline, the Sagarmala project can further enable the state to emerge as a major logistics destination. Odisha has the advantage of being strategically located with a long coastline and a rich cultural heritage of maritime trade toachieve it.

“The port-led development through industrialisation and connectivity is a major focus of Sagarmala projects. We will also be prioritising the coastal community development as an integrated part of this initiative,” he added.

He further said the State Maritime Board is expected to be fully functional in the coming months and hopefully, the Board will act as a catalyst for overall development of the maritime sector in the state.

Commerce & Transport Minister Padmanav Behera said the Sagarmala programme aims at port-led development and improvement of waterways. For the success of the programme, there is need for cooperation of the Centre, state and local authorities, he added.

The Sagarmala Project aims at port modernisation, port connectivity, port led industrialisation and coastal community development. The projects under this programme will get 50% funding from the Centre. The state government has submitted 14 projects of various departments.

Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra; Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport department Madhusudan Padhi and Special secretary, Commerce & Transport Manoj Mishra were present.