Bhubaneswar: Odisha has emerged as a major focus area for port-led infrastructure development, with 58 projects worth more than Rs 56,350 crore either sanctioned, under implementation or identified under the Centre’s Sagarmala programme, Union ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal informed Rajya Sabha on Monday.Replying to a question from BJD MP Sasmit Patra, the minister said six projects worth Rs 350 crore have been sanctioned for funding under the Sagarmala scheme in Odisha, while another 52 projects worth around Rs 56,000 crore have been identified and are being implemented by agencies including the Paradip Port Authority, Odisha govt departments, Indian Railways, NHAI and CONCOR. These projects are expected to create an additional cargo-handling capacity of about 83 million tonnes per annum.Among the six Sagarmala-funded projects are Ro-Pax jetty projects linking Kaninali in Bhadrak with Talchua in Kendrapada and Balugaon in Khurda with Krishnaprasad Gada in Puri, modernisation of the Paradip fishing harbour, construction of a fishing harbour at Chandipur in Balasore and two DDU-GKY skill-development projects. Five of the six projects are under implementation and are slated for completion by the end of 2026.The larger basket of 52 projects includes major rail, road, logistics and port infrastructure initiatives centred around Paradip, Dhamra, Gopalpur, Astaranga and Subarnarekha ports. Several projects, including the multi-modal logistics park in Paradip, Haridaspur-Paradip rail connectivity, Angul-Sukinda rail line and the Duburi-Panikoili road connectivity have already been completed.Key ongoing projects include the Rs 7,600 crore smart industrial port city in Paradip, Rs 3,005 crore deepening and optimisation of Paradip’s inner harbour facilities, the Rs 4,695 crore third rail line from Bhadrak to Vizianagaram, and the Rs 3,747 crore Duburi-Chandikhole-Paradip highway project.The minister also informed the House that development of National Waterway-5, connecting the mineral-rich regions of Talcher and Angul with industrial hubs such as Kalinganagar and ports in Paradip and Dhamra, which was announced in the 2026-27 Union Budget, is currently in the approval stage and is expected to be completed within five years of approval.According to the minister, the Sagarmala-funded projects are expected to generate around 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, while the broader set of identified projects could create more than 25,000 jobs. The Centre said skill development initiatives for coastal communities are being undertaken in convergence with DDU-GKY to prepare local youths for employment in the maritime sector.
