Puri, Dec 13: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbanand Sonowal, met with Odisha's Members of Parliament to discuss the state's port and river waterway development.
The meeting centered around both ongoing projects and future plans to enhance Odisha’s maritime infrastructure, highlighting the importance of continued growth in the sector.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in a social media post, emphasized the "double engine" government’s dedication to transforming Paradip into a world-class port. The discussions covered a range of topics, including fast-tracked port development, the long-term vision for river waterways, and the proposed establishment of a cruise terminal at Puri, as part of the broader Sagarmala project.
A notable proposal came from Kolkata’s Shyam Group and Century Plyboards India Ltd, who have presented plans to develop a modern port at Baliharchandi, near Puri. The 3,500-acre project will feature four berths in its first phase, including a state-of-the-art cruise terminal.
This initiative is set to position Puri as a key destination, blending tourism with industrial growth. The Odisha government is currently working on a memorandum of understanding and the necessary tourism clearances for the project.
Additional discussions also touched on initiatives to improve the livelihoods of fishermen, boost marine exports, and advance National Waterway 5. Efforts to support women’s empowerment in Odisha’s maritime sector were highlighted, focusing on skill development programs to enable their participation in the industry.
These collaborative efforts are aimed at fortifying Odisha’s maritime economy and infrastructure for sustainable long-term growth.
