Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated seven projects worth ₹427.80 crore at Paradip port on Friday, while the port authority signed concession agreements for three mechanisation projects with a combined investment of over ₹2,000 crore. According to reports from Business Standard, the projects include ₹352 crore for capital dredging that enables the port to achieve an 18.5-metre deep-draft capability, allowing fully laden Capesize vessels to enter the inner harbour and handle larger cargo parcels in a single voyage. The largest project among the initiatives is the ₹352-crore deep-draft enhancement, which is expected to improve economies of scale, reduce vessel turnaround time and lower logistics costs. The minister was joined by Odisha Minister of State for Industries Sampad Chandra Swain, Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Paradip Port Authority Chairman P. L. Haranadh, IRTS, and Deputy Chairman T. Venu Gopal, along with senior officials, stakeholders and members of the Paradip Port community.
Paradip port achieved an all-time high annual traffic throughput of 156.45 million tonnes in FY26, marking 4.02 per cent growth over the previous year. As reported by Business Standard, the port stands as the second-largest major port in India by cargo volume while retaining its leadership position on the eastern coast. Its strategic location on the eastern coast gives it importance for India's mineral, energy and industrial supply chains, serving a large hinterland encompassing Odisha and adjoining states and handling significant volumes of bulk commodities. The minister emphasized that the investments would strengthen Paradip's position as a major maritime gateway and create wider economic opportunities across the eastern region, stating that the expansion is intended to create a wider economic multiplier for eastern India by strengthening maritime trade, logistics, industrial activity and employment, while supporting India's broader push towards modern and globally competitive port infrastructure.
The concession agreements cover three mechanisation projects worth ₹1,580.36 crore as part of the Paradip Port Authority's plan to achieve 100 per cent berth mechanisation by 2030, compared with the current level of 80 per cent. According to Business Standard, the projects include the 5 mtpa South Quay mechanisation project awarded to M/s Yogayatan Paradip SQB Terminal Pvt Ltd at ₹498.69 crore on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis, the 8 mtpa multipurpose berth mechanisation project to M/s Kalinga Bulk Terminal Paradip Pvt Ltd at ₹630.67 crore, and the 10 mtpa captive CQ-III mechanisation project to M/s AMNS Paradip Logistics Pvt Ltd at ₹451 crore. The planned mechanisation is expected to improve cargo-handling efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround times and support safer and cleaner port operations. The minister noted that the development of Paradip was part of the wider transformation underway in India's maritime sector, stating that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has embarked on an unprecedented phase of maritime modernisation over the past 12 years.
The Paradip Port Authority commissioned a ₹15.50 crore Advanced Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) developed with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts at IIT Madras. As reported by Business Standard, the system combines solid-state radar, artificial intelligence, Automatic Identification System, CCTV, oil-spill monitoring and 3D visualisation to track vessel movements up to 20 nautical miles from an ATC-style signal station. The minister also inaugurated a ₹20-crore piped natural gas (PNG) infrastructure project, making Paradip the first major port in India to introduce PNG connectivity for its township residents. This initiative aims to provide a cleaner and continuous energy source while reducing household gas expenses. The minister also inaugurated a ₹24.89 crore 500-metre, three-lane Atharbanki second new bridge and a ₹12.18 crore upgraded administrative office building.
Minister Sonowal marked Paradip Port's plantation of its one-millionth tree, highlighting the port's focus on combining infrastructure expansion with environmental sustainability. According to Business Standard, the port has intensified its plantation activities in recent years, with nearly one lakh trees being planted annually over the past four years with participation from employees, stakeholders and local communities. The port said the initiative aims to expand green cover, support biodiversity and strengthen environmental sustainability. The minister emphasized that the green milestone builds on plantation drives initiated after the 1999 Super Cyclone, with the Authority intensifying plantation activities over the past four years. The minister stated that the investments would strengthen Paradip's position as a major maritime gateway and create wider economic opportunities across the eastern region, with the expansion of Paradip's capacity creating a growth multiplier for eastern India through deeper drafts, modern cargo-handling infrastructure, improved connectivity and greater mechanisation.
