Paradip: In a high-level push for maritime-led industrialization, Smt. Anu Garg, Chief Secretary of the Government of Odisha, conducted a comprehensive operational review of Paradip Port Authority (PPA) today. The visit centered on the strategic “Paradip Port 2.0” roadmap, designed to position the port as a global logistics hub while anchoring Odisha’s ambitious USD 500 billion economic goal by 2036.
Upon her arrival at the Wet Basin, the Chief Secretary was received by Shri P. L. Haranadh, Chairman of PPA, and honored with a ceremonial Guard of Honour by the CISF Unit. To assess the port’s technical preparedness, Smt. Garg undertook a launch ride, inspecting berth readiness, vessel traffic management systems (VTMS), and live marine operations.
Paradip Port recently secured its status as India’s leading Major Port by handling a record 150.41 MMT of cargo in FY 2024–25. With an existing rated capacity of 289 MTPA and a net surplus of ₹1,860 crore, the port remains a national leader in productivity and cost-efficiency, maintaining the lowest vessel and cargo charges among major Indian ports.
The Chief Secretary’s discussions with PPA leadership focused on a massive scale-up of infrastructure under the Paradip Port 2.0 vision. Key technical projects reviewed include: Scaling total port capacity beyond the 500 MTPA threshold, ongoing dredging and infrastructure work to accommodate larger vessels, development of a dedicated green hydrogen berth to support future energy exports, proposed 1.2 million GT capacity shipbuilding and repair hub north of the Mahanadi in Kendrapara and 150 MTPA greenfield facility in Ganjam district, designed to ease congestion and boost regional logistics.
These projects will be executed through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) partnership between the State Government and PPA, ensuring integrated development across the Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, and Ganjam maritime belts.
The vision for Paradip extends beyond the waterfront. Smt. Garg emphasized the synchronization of port operations with the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR), the dedicated Plastic Park, and the AMNS steel complex. This “integrated development” model includes the creation of industrial townships, advanced housing, and urban amenities to support a growing workforce.
Addressing the broader economic landscape, the Chief Secretary highlighted Odisha’s high capital expenditure and fiscal stability. She advocated for a pivot toward high-value sectors, including rare earth processing, aerospace, and cruise tourism, the latter of which includes a priority terminal project at Puri.
The deliberations concluded with a shared commitment between the State Government and PPA to transform the Odisha coastline into a strategic gateway for international trade, ensuring sustainable growth toward the USD 1.5 trillion target by 2047.
The review was attended by Shri J. Sonal, Collector, Jagatsinghpur, Shri Ankit Kumar Verma SP, Jagatsinghpur, Shri T. Venu Gopal Deputy Chairman, PPA, and other senior port officials.