Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday inaugurated seven infrastructure projects worth Rs 427.80 crore at Paradip Port Authority (PPA) in Odisha, according to PIB.
The projects were inaugurated as Paradip Port achieved an 18.5-metre deep-draft capability and marked the planting of its one-millionth tree.
The minister also witnessed the signing of concession agreements for three mechanisation projects involving an investment of Rs 1,580.36 crore. The projects are aimed at increasing cargo-handling capacity, improving operational efficiency and reducing vessel turnaround time at the port.
The infrastructure package covers navigation, road connectivity, safety, sustainability, residential facilities and community development. The new mechanisation projects are part of PPA’s plan to achieve 100% berth mechanisation by 2030, up from the current 80%.
Paradip Port expands deep-draft, connectivity and safety infrastructure
“The expansion of Paradip Port’s capacity is not only 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,” Sarbananda Sonowal said.
The largest project in the package is the Rs 352-crore capital dredging work, which has enabled Paradip Port to handle fully laden Capesize vessels in its inner harbour. The deeper draft is expected to support larger ships, improve economies of scale and lower logistics costs.
Another key project is the Rs 24.89-crore Atharbanki Second New Bridge. The 500-metre, three-lane bridge includes footpaths and a dedicated pipeline corridor across Atharbanki Creek. It is expected to ease congestion on a route used by nearly 3,000 trucks every day.
The port has also commissioned a Rs 15.50-crore Advanced Vessel Traffic Management and Information System developed with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts at IIT Madras. The system combines radar, artificial intelligence, AIS, CCTV, oil-spill monitoring and 3D visualisation to track vessels up to 20 nautical miles from an ATC-style signal station.
Other projects include a Rs 2.10-crore sports hostel, a Rs 12.18-crore façade upgrade of the administrative office building and a Rs 20-crore piped natural gas network for residential quarters. The first phase of the PNG project will connect 546 homes in Madhuban.
Rs 1,580 crore projects to push berth mechanisation
PPA signed concession agreements for three mechanisation projects with a combined investment of Rs 1,580.36 crore. The projects include mechanisation of the 5 MTPA South Quay, the 8 MTPA Multipurpose Berth and the 10 MTPA captive CQ-III berth.
The South Quay project has been awarded to Yogayatan Paradip SQB Terminal Pvt. Ltd. for an estimated Rs 498.69 crore under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. The Multipurpose Berth project, with an investment of Rs 630.67 crore, has been awarded to Kalinga Bulk Terminal Paradip Pvt. Ltd., also under BOT.
The captive CQ-III mechanisation project has been awarded to AMNS Paradip Logistics Pvt. Ltd. at an estimated investment of Rs 451 crore.
The three projects are expected to make cargo handling faster and more efficient while helping reduce vessel turnaround times and logistics costs.
“Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri 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,” Sonowal said.
PPA also highlighted its environmental and community initiatives. Sonowal planted the port’s one-millionth tree, marking a milestone in its plantation efforts that began after the 1999 Super Cyclone. The port said nearly one lakh trees have been planted annually over the past four years.
Under its CSR initiatives, PPA supported placement-linked training for 168 unemployed youth from Odisha through the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding in Visakhapatnam. It also supported skill-development programmes for fishing communities around Paradip Fishing Harbour through the Marine Products Export Development Authority.
The programmes focused on fish handling and hygiene, responsible fishing, sustainable fisheries practices and alternative livelihood opportunities for local communities.