Bhubaneswar: Odisha reaffirmed its commitment to maritime growth at the 4th National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) Meeting held in New Delhi. With a 480 km coastline, Odisha is home to Paradip Port and several private ports. In 2023-24, Paradip Port handled a record 145.38 million metric tonnes—the highest among major Indian ports.
Chaired by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the meeting included discussions on maritime infrastructure under the Sagarmala Programme, project implementation, and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. A key focus was Sagarmala 2.0, which aims to enhance port modernization, multimodal connectivity, and coastal development.
Representing Odisha, Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Department of Commerce & Transport and CEO of the Odisha Maritime Board, highlighted the state’s ongoing maritime initiatives. She commended the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways for a decade of progress and presented Odisha’s key projects for Sagarmala 2.0.
Odisha emphasized its Odisha State Maritime and Waterways Master Plan (OSMWMP) to boost connectivity and trade. The state also showcased its contribution to maritime heritage through its pavilion at the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Gujarat and the proposed India Maritime Centre (IMC) for research and training.
With a strategic focus on national waterways, shipbuilding, and sustainable economic growth, Odisha aims to position itself as a leader in maritime infrastructure, strengthening regional trade and advancing India’s blue economy under the Sagarmala Programme.
