Bhubaneswar, September 20: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg reviewed the state’s maritime sector development, port infrastructure expansion, waterways connectivity, and progress of key maritime projects at the 7th Odisha Maritime Board meeting held at Lok Seva Bhavan.
The meeting reviewed action taken on decisions of the Board’s sixth meeting and discussed restructuring of the Odisha Maritime Board, strengthening of human resources and the proposed merger of the Directorate of Ports and Inland Water Transport with the Board.
The progress of the proposed Large Shipbuilding Cluster at Mahakalapada in Kendrapara district was also reviewed. Issues concerning Gopalpur Port, including a proposed 4.5-km four-lane greenfield road connecting NH-16 near Chhatrapur with the port, were discussed.
The meeting also focused on developing container terminals at Dhamra and Gopalpur ports, along with container freight stations, customs-bonded areas and multimodal logistics centres to boost cargo handling and EXIM trade.
Progress of the proposed International Cruise Terminal near Puriwas reviewed, while proposals for GIS-based mapping of newly created coastal land and a strategic maritime land bank were also considered.
The meeting stressed coordinated efforts to strengthen Odisha’s maritime economy through port expansion, shipbuilding, cargo transportation and cruise tourism.
Senior officials from the Industries, Home, I&PR, Water Resources, Commerce and Transport, Tourism and Law departments, along with other Board members and departmental officials, attended the meeting.
