Paradip: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Friday inaugurated infrastructure projects worth Rs 427.80 crore at Paradip port in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district.
He launched an 18.5-metre deep-draft capability worth Rs 352 crore, which will enable the port to handle fully laden capesize vessels in its inner harbour, improving economies of scale and helping reduce vessel turnaround time and logistics costs, officials said.
A 500-metre three-lane bridge worth Rs 24.89 crore, a Rs 2.10-crore sports hostel, and an upgraded administrative office building at Rs 12.18 crore were also launched.
The shipping minister inaugurated a Rs 20 crore project for piped natural gas supply to quarters in the port area and an advanced vessel traffic management and information system worth Rs 15.50 crore.
In a post on X, the union minister said, “Paradip Port sets a new benchmark for sustainable living! Inaugurated the Rs 20 crore Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure for residents of @paradipport Township by lighting the stove and making tea at an employee quarter here today.”
“Proud that Paradip is now India’s first Major Port to introduce PNG connectivity, ensuring cleaner, continuous energy while reducing household gas expenses by up to 40 per cent,” he said.
Sonowal was joined by Odisha Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai and Paradip Port Authority Chairman PL Haranadh.
The shipping minister said the investments would strengthen Paradip’s position as a major maritime gateway and create wider economic opportunities across the eastern region.
“The expansion of Paradip Port’s capacity is not about strengthening one port; it is about creating a growth multiplier for eastern India. With deeper drafts, modern cargo-handling infrastructure, improved connectivity and greater mechanisation, Paradip is well positioned to drive trade, logistics, industry and employment across the region and contribute to India’s emergence as a globally competitive maritime economy,” he said.
Sonowal also witnessed the signing of concession agreements for three mechanisation projects worth Rs 1,580.36 crore aimed at strengthening Paradip’s capacity, efficiency and cargo-handling capabilities.
These projects are part of its plan to achieve 100 per cent berth mechanisation by 2030, compared with the current level of 80 per cent, a port official said.
The projects will support faster, safer and cleaner cargo handling while reducing vessel turnaround times and logistics costs, he said.
Sonowal said the development of Paradip is part of the wider transformation underway in India’s maritime sector.
“Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has embarked on an unprecedented phase of maritime modernisation. Over the past 12 years, we have fundamentally strengthened our ports, waterways, shipping and maritime capabilities, making the sector a powerful engine of growth and the anchor of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and our journey towards ‘Viksit Bharat’ 2047,” he added.
Sonowal planted a sapling, marking a milestone in the port’s plantation of one million trees and green-cover initiatives.
The green milestone builds on plantation drives initiated after the 1999 Super Cyclone, with the authority intensifying such activities over the past four years.
The Paradip Port Authority said nearly one lakh trees have been planted annually during this period, with employees, stakeholders and local communities contributing to the effort.
