Odisha Charts Course for a Port-Led Economic Transformation: CM Majhi at India Maritime Week 2025

State aims to become India’s Eastern Maritime Gateway with ₹70,000 crore port projects and global partnerships

Bhubaneswar : Odisha is steering toward a new era of maritime-driven economic growth, firmly positioning itself as a key player in India’s coastal and industrial development. “Odisha is committed to building a strong port-led and port-based economy and will transform our ports into engines of trade, industry, and employment—driving India’s growth journey for the next 25 years,” said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi while addressing the inaugural session of India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, held in Mumbai on Monday. The Chief Minister shared the dais with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who graced the event as Chief Guest.

The five-day global summit, hosted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and organized by the Indian Ports Association (IPA), has brought together leaders from over 100 countries, including policymakers, industry experts, innovators, and investors. The event provides a platform to deliberate on the future of the global maritime sector and India’s growing leadership within it. Participating in the event, Majhi interacted with key industry representatives from the port and blue economy sectors, inviting them to explore investment opportunities in Odisha’s fast-developing maritime ecosystem.

During a special session titled “Port-Led Development of Odisha: A Perspective Plan for 2024,” Chief Minister Majhi highlighted Odisha’s strategic position as India’s emerging maritime hub on the eastern coast. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to developing a modern, sustainable, and globally competitive maritime ecosystem supported by strong policy stability, infrastructure expansion, and private sector collaboration. He said Odisha’s maritime strength is powering a new wave of industrial and economic transformation, adding that ports like Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur, along with upcoming ports at Astaranga, Jatadhari Muhan, Subarnarekha, and Bahuda, are part of the state’s plan to expand its total port handling capacity to 500 million tonnes annually by 2047.

Majhi announced that the Bahuda Port Project with an investment of ₹21,500 crore, and the Shipbuilding and Repair Cluster near the Mahanadi mouth with an investment of ₹24,700 crore, will redefine Odisha’s coastal economy and global trade linkages. He also mentioned that the upcoming Puri Cruise Terminal will further strengthen Odisha’s maritime tourism potential. Emphasizing the state’s investor-friendly environment, the Chief Minister said Odisha offers stable governance, skilled manpower, and progressive reforms, and extended a warm invitation to investors to participate in the state’s transformative journey.

The Chief Minister also outlined Odisha’s long-term maritime roadmap, which not only focuses on trade and logistics but also integrates tourism, cruise development, and blue economy opportunities along the Bay of Bengal coast. He reiterated the state government’s vision to develop 14 non-major ports, expand port capacity to 500 million tonnes per annum, and establish two transformational projects—the Bahuda Port and the Shipbuilding Cluster at the Mahanadi mouth. He said the government is guided by the vision of Purvodaya and Atmanirbhar Bharat, ensuring faster clearances, investor-friendly policies, and robust logistics connectivity to attract global partners. “Our focus remains on local employment, skill development, and inclusive growth so that the benefits of this transformation reach every citizen,” Majhi added.

A series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the event to promote maritime and industrial development in Odisha. The Odisha Government and Indian Ports Association signed an MoU for the development of a Cruise Terminal worth ₹500 crore, while the Paradip Port Authority and Odisha Maritime Board signed another for the International Cruise Terminal at Puri, also valued at ₹500 crore. An MoU between the Inland Waterways Authority of India, Paradip Port Authority, Odisha Maritime Board, and the Ministry of Coal was inked for the operationalization of National Waterway-54, and Berhampur University signed an agreement with the Indian Maritime University for scientific and educational cooperation. Additionally, the Paradip Port Authority, Odisha Maritime Board, and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd. showcased plans to develop an all-weather Satellite Major Port at Bahuda Muhana, Ganjam, involving an investment of ₹21,500 crore, and another MoU for establishing a National Mega Shipbuilding Cluster in Odisha worth ₹22,700 crore. Odisha also signed MoUs with the Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd. (IPRCL) for a Maritime Museum and the construction of a four-lane road, and with IFFCO for cargo movement operations.

Several major private sector proposals were also received during IMW 2025. Reliance Consumer Ltd. announced plans to invest ₹938 crore in a new manufacturing facility at Ambhabil, Khordha, to produce biscuits, beverages, juices, and confectionery. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 14,000 tonnes of biscuits, 18 million cases of beverages, 3.6 million cases of juice, and 7,000 tonnes of confectionery. Similarly, Jain Metals proposed setting up a ₹2,100 crore Titanium Metal and Titanium Dioxide plant in Ganjam district, with a capacity of 45,000 metric tonnes.

Highlighting Odisha’s commitment to inclusive development, Majhi said that with dedicated governance and a skilled workforce, the state is emerging as a model for sustainable and integrated maritime development. He invited investors and global partners to explore the vast opportunities within Odisha’s growing coastal and industrial sectors.

The India Maritime Week 2025, held from October 27 to 31 at the NESCO Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, features ministerial roundtables, CEO forums, and thematic sessions, along with an exhibition showcasing India’s expanding maritime investment pipeline worth over ₹10 lakh crore. The event underscores the nation’s commitment to building a world-class, future-ready maritime ecosystem. For Odisha, participation in IMW 2025 marks a significant milestone—demonstrating its port-led industrial potential, strengthening partnerships, and accelerating its emergence as the Eastern Maritime Gateway of India.