Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates ₹427.80 Crore Projects at Paradip Port, Marks 18.5-Metre Deep-Draft Capability – Indian PSU

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated seven major infrastructure projects worth ₹427.80 crore at Paradip Port Authority (PPA), marking a major step in strengthening the port’s cargo-handling capacity, connectivity, safety and sustainability.

The minister also witnessed the signing of three concession agreements worth ₹1,580.36 crore for berth mechanisation projects. The initiatives are part of Paradip Port’s plan to achieve 100% berth mechanisation by 2030, compared with around 80% at present.

The developments also marked Paradip Port’s achievement of an 18.5-metre deep-draft capability and the plantation of its one-millionth tree, highlighting the port’s focus on both infrastructure expansion and environmental sustainability.

Sonowal was accompanied by Odisha Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Sampad Chandra Swain, Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Paradip Port Authority Chairman P. L. Haranadh, IRTS, Deputy Chairman T. Venu Gopal and senior officials.

₹427.80 Crore Infrastructure Package

The seven projects inaugurated by the Union Minister cover navigation, road connectivity, residential infrastructure, safety, community facilities and environmental sustainability.

The largest project is the ₹352-crore capital dredging project, which has enabled Paradip Port to achieve an 18.5-metre deep draft. The enhanced draft will allow the port to handle fully laden Capesize vessels in its inner harbour, helping improve economies of scale and potentially reduce vessel turnaround and logistics costs.

Another major project is the ₹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 ₹2.10-crore sports hostel to provide accommodation and facilities for aspiring athletes.

A ₹12.18-crore façade redevelopment of the Administrative Office Building, executed by NBCC (India) Ltd., includes improvements to the surrounding area, parking and circulation facilities.

Paradip to Get PNG Connectivity

Under a ₹20-crore project developed in partnership with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., piped natural gas connectivity will initially be extended to 546 residential quarters in Madhuban.

The initiative is expected to reduce household gas expenses by up to 40% and is projected to make Paradip the first major port to provide PNG connectivity to its residential township.

The port has also commissioned an Advanced Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMS) at a cost of ₹15.50 crore.

Developed with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts at IIT Madras, the system integrates solid-state radar, artificial intelligence, AIS, CCTV, oil-spill monitoring and 3D visualisation. It will enable monitoring of vessel movement up to 20 nautical miles from a modern ATC-style signal station.

₹1,580.36 Crore Investment for Berth Mechanisation

Paradip Port Authority signed concession agreements for three major mechanisation projects involving a combined investment of ₹1,580.36 crore.

The projects are:

• 5 MTPA South Quay mechanisation project: Awarded to Yogayatan Paradip SQB Terminal Pvt. Ltd. at an estimated investment of ₹498.69 crore under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.
• 8 MTPA Multipurpose Berth mechanisation project: Awarded to Kalinga Bulk Terminal Paradip Pvt. Ltd. at an investment of ₹630.67 crore, also under the BOT model.
• 10 MTPA captive CQ-III mechanisation project: Awarded to AMNS Paradip Logistics Pvt. Ltd. at an estimated investment of ₹451 crore.

The projects are expected to facilitate faster, safer and cleaner cargo handling while reducing vessel turnaround time and logistics costs.

With these investments, Paradip Port is targeting 100% berth mechanisation by 2030, strengthening its position as a major cargo gateway on India’s eastern coast.

Paradip Port Plants One-Millionth Tree

The infrastructure expansion was accompanied by an important environmental milestone, with Sonowal planting Paradip Port’s one-millionth tree.

The port’s plantation programme dates back to the aftermath of the 1999 Super Cyclone. Plantation activities have been significantly intensified during the last four years, with nearly one lakh trees planted annually, according to PPA.

Employees, stakeholders and local communities have participated in the plantation drive, which is aimed at increasing green cover, supporting biodiversity and strengthening the environmental sustainability of the port.

Sonowal: Paradip Can Drive Eastern India’s Growth

Sonowal said the expansion of Paradip Port would have an impact beyond the port itself by strengthening trade, logistics, industry and employment opportunities across eastern India. “The expansion of Paradip Port’s capacity is not only about strengthening one port; it is about creating a growth multiplier for eastern India.”

He said deeper drafts, modern cargo-handling infrastructure, improved connectivity and greater mechanisation would help Paradip contribute to India’s emergence as a globally competitive maritime economy.

The Union Minister also described the development of Paradip as part of the broader transformation of India’s maritime sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to Sonowal, investments in ports, waterways, shipping and maritime capabilities are helping establish the sector as a major engine of growth and supporting the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.

PPA Expands CSR Support for Youth and Fishing Communities

Paradip Port Authority also highlighted its CSR initiatives undertaken during 2025-26.

The port provided financial assistance to the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS), Visakhapatnam, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, for placement-linked training of 168 unemployed youth from Odisha in Bhubaneswar.

The training covered job roles such as inventory clerk, courier associate operations and supply chain executive. The trained candidates were subsequently placed with various companies.

PPA also supported the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in implementing skill-development programmes for fishing communities around Paradip Fishing Harbour.

The programmes focused on fish quality and hygienic handling, responsible fishing practices, distribution of square-mesh cod-ends and bio-toilets, and awareness about turtle excluder devices and sustainable fisheries.

These initiatives seek to improve safety and hygiene in fishing operations while promoting sustainable fishing practices and alternative livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.

Paradip Emerges as a Key Maritime Growth Hub

The combination of deeper draft capability, new connectivity infrastructure, advanced vessel traffic management, berth mechanisation and green initiatives marks another significant phase in Paradip Port’s development.

With ₹427.80 crore in newly inaugurated projects and ₹1,580.36 crore in mechanisation investments, the port is positioning itself to handle larger vessels, improve operational efficiency and support the growing logistics and industrial ecosystem of eastern India.

The push towards 100% berth mechanisation by 2030, alongside the one-millionth-tree milestone and community-focused CSR programmes, also reflects Paradip Port’s broader approach of combining capacity expansion with sustainability and inclusive regional development.