Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated seven major infrastructure projects worth ₹427.80 crore at Paradip Port Authority (PPA) in Paradip, Odisha, marking the port's 18.5-metre deep-draft capability and its one-millionth tree milestone, while also witnessing the signing of concession agreements for three mechanisation projects worth ₹1,580.36 crore aimed at further strengthening Paradip's capacity, efficiency and cargo-handling capabilities.

The projects span navigation, connectivity, safety, sustainability, residential infrastructure and community development, while the mechanisation projects are aimed at improving cargo handling and reducing vessel turnaround time.

The Union Minister was joined by Odisha Minister of State (Independent Charge), Department of Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education, Sampad Chandra Swain; Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai; Paradip Port Authority Chairman P. L. Haranadh, IRTS; Deputy Chairman T. Venu Gopal; senior officials, stakeholders and members of the Paradip Port community.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the investments would strengthen Paradip's position as a major maritime gateway and create wider economic opportunities across the eastern region.

“The expansion of Paradip Port's capacity is not only about strengthening one port; it is about creating a growth multiplier for eastern India. With deeper drafts, modern cargo-handling infrastructure, improved connectivity and greater mechanisation, Paradip is well positioned to drive trade, logistics, industry and employment across the region and contribute to India's emergence as a globally competitive maritime economy,” Sarbananda Sonowal said.

SEVEN PROJECTS WORTH ₹427.80 CRORE

The ₹427.80 crore project package includes:

• 18.5-metre deep-draft capability: ₹352 crore: Capital dredging will enable Paradip Port to handle fully laden Capesize vessels in its inner harbour, improving economies of scale and helping reduce vessel turnaround and logistics costs.
• Atharbanki Second New Bridge: ₹24.89 crore: The 500-metre, three-lane bridge, with footpaths and a dedicated pipeline corridor across Atharbanki Creek, is expected to ease congestion along a route used by nearly 3,000 trucks daily.
• Sports Hostel: ₹2.10 crore: The facility will provide accommodation and amenities for aspiring athletes, supporting youth development.
• Administrative Office Building façade upgrade: ₹12.18 crore: The redevelopment of the 1980s-era building and its surroundings, executed by NBCC (India) Ltd., includes improved parking and circulation facilities.
• Piped Natural Gas supply to residential quarters: ₹20 crore: Developed in partnership with Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd., the first phase will extend PNG connectivity to 546 residential quarters in Madhuban. The facility is expected to reduce household gas expenses by up to 40% and make Paradip the first major port to provide PNG to its residential township.
• Advanced Vessel Traffic Management and Information System: ₹15.50 crore: Developed with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts at IIT Madras, the system integrates solid-state radar, artificial intelligence, AIS, CCTV, oil-spill monitoring and 3D visualisation to monitor vessel movement up to 20 nautical miles from a modern ATC-style signal station.
• One-millionth tree: Sonowal planted Paradip Port's one-millionth tree, marking a milestone in the port's plantation and green-cover initiatives.

The green milestone builds on plantation drives initiated after the 1999 Super Cyclone, with the Authority intensifying plantation activities over the past four years. PPA said nearly one lakh trees have been planted annually during this period, with employees, stakeholders and local communities contributing to the effort. The port said the initiative is aimed at expanding green cover, supporting biodiversity and strengthening environmental sustainability.

₹1,580.36 CRORE MECHANISATION PROJECTS

PPA also signed concession agreements for three projects, with an investment of   ₹1,580.36 crore, as part of its plan to achieve 100% berth mechanisation by 2030, compared with the current level of 80%. They will support faster, safer and cleaner cargo handling while reducing vessel turnaround times and logistics costs.

The agreements cover the 5 MTPA South Quay mechanisation project, awarded to M/s Yogayatan Paradip SQB Terminal Pvt. Ltd. at an estimated investment of ₹498.69 crore on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis; the 8 MTPA Multipurpose Berth mechanisation project, awarded to M/s Kalinga Bulk Terminal Paradip Pvt. Ltd. at ₹630.67 crore, also on a BOT basis; and the 10 MTPA captive CQ-III mechanisation project, awarded to M/s AMNS Paradip Logistics Pvt. Ltd. at an estimated ₹451 crore.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the development of Paradip is part of the wider transformation underway in India's maritime sector. “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has embarked on an unprecedented phase of maritime modernisation. Over the past 12 years, we have fundamentally strengthened our ports, waterways, shipping and maritime capabilities, making the sector a powerful engine of growth and the anchor of an Atmanirbhar Bharat and our journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” Sonowal said.

CSR INITIATIVES

PPA also highlighted the outcomes of two CSR-funded skill-development initiatives undertaken during 2025-26. The Authority provided financial assistance to the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS), Visakhapatnam, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, for placement-linked training of 168 unemployed youth from Odisha in Bhubaneswar. Training covered roles including inventory clerk, courier associate operations and supply chain executive, with the trained candidates subsequently placed across various companies.

PPA also supported the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in conducting skill-development programmes for Odisha's fishing communities, particularly around Paradip Fishing Harbour. The programmes covered fish quality and hygienic handling, responsible fishing practices, distribution of square-mesh cod-ends and bio-toilets, and awareness on turtle excluder devices and sustainable fisheries.

The initiatives are aimed at improving hygiene and safety in fishing operations while supporting sustainable fisheries and alternative livelihood opportunities for fishing communities.

 

 

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