Bhubaneswar/Kendrapada: Coastal Kendrapada will soon have a National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park as the Centre has accorded in-principle approval under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, marking a major boost to the state’s maritime and shipbuilding ambitions.
The approval has been granted to National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park, Odisha Ltd. (NSHIPOL) for its proposed project along the Mahanadi riverbank in Kendrapada, a strategically located site expected to strengthen Odisha’s shipbuilding and heavy-industry ecosystem.
NSHIPOL had submitted its application under Unique Application Number (UAN) GY700010 July 30, 2026.
After detailed scrutiny of the proposal in accordance with the guidelines of the Shipbuilding Development Scheme, the competent authority accorded the in-principle approval August 10, 2026.
The approval came following the directions of the 6th meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group for Shipbuilding (IMGB) under the National Shipbuilding Mission, held on the same day.
Paradip Port Authority Chairman PL Haranadh described the approval as a significant milestone in Odisha’s maritime development.
“The In-Principle approval is an important milestone in Odisha’s maritime development journey. The proposed Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park in Kendrapada has the potential to strengthen shipbuilding capabilities, attract investment, create employment opportunities and promote the development of ancillary industries in the region,” Haranadh said.
With the in-principle approval secured, NSHIPOL will now move into the next phase of project development and prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The DPR will cover critical aspects of the proposed shipyard, including infrastructure requirements, vessel specifications, capital expenditure, dredging and breakwater requirements, as well as the project’s financial model.
The project will also have to secure a series of mandatory statutory clearances before moving towards implementation.
These include Environmental Clearance (EC), Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) permissions and other applicable approvals.
NSHIPOL will subsequently submit its proposal seeking Final Approval, along with the DPR, statutory clearances and investment commitments, within the prescribed timeline.
The proposed park is envisaged as a major industrial and maritime hub that could signifi cantly expand Odisha’s shipbuilding capacity while attracting large-scale investments and generating employment.
The project is also expected to create opportunities for skill development and ancillary industries, giving a further push to the state’s coastal economy and strengthening its position as a major maritime and industrial destination.
