Green initiatives and infrastructure growth top future agenda
Paradip: Patriotic spirit filled the air as the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) marked the 77th Republic Day with a grand celebration at the port premises. Chairman Shri P.L. Haranadh unfurled the National Flag in the presence of Deputy Chairman Shri T. Venu Gopal, officers, employees, and CISF personnel, setting the stage for major announcements regarding the port's future.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Haranadh emphasized that Paradip Port has cemented its status as the "Gateway of India's Growth." He noted that the port has achieved a remarkable 9 percent annual growth rate over the last three years, significantly outpacing the national average. Having handled 150 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of cargo in the last fiscal year, PPA successfully retained its title as the country’s number one cargo-handling major port.
Looking ahead, the Chairman outlined an ambitious roadmap to transform Paradip into a world-class mega port. Current projections indicate the port will surpass a 300 MMT capacity within the next year, with a long-term goal of hitting 350 MMT by 2030. Key infrastructure projects are moving fast, including the Western Dock Project and capital dredging efforts to accommodate massive Cape Size vessels by March 2026.
Sustainability remains a core focus for the administration. Shri Haranadh revealed that PPA is evolving into the Green Hydrogen Hub of eastern India, backed by MoUs worth ₹1.5 lakh crore. By late 2026, the port aims to run all its buses on Green Hydrogen, supported by a new 10 MW solar power plant.
On the local development front, the administration announced exciting plans for the Kalinga Maritime Museum, a modern commercial complex with a multiplex, and a marina in Sector 21. Furthermore, PPA is expanding its footprint in Odisha by developing a satellite port at Bahuda in Ganjam district and a massive shipbuilding facility near Paradip.
The celebration concluded with cultural festivities, including a captivating dog show by the CISF unit, a cricket match, and prize distributions for local school children and employees.
